speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of speaking, or to refer to something that is said. Example sentence: "Speaking frankly, I'm not happy with the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two other senior GOP sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party's leadership had promised to give the controversial bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act, floor time in the 114th Congress.

The Guardian

Appearing on Radio 4's The World at One as the prime minister was still speaking, Hunt said: "It is a huge issue.

The Guardian

"It was a complete change of language," said Baker Atyani, a Palestinian journalist and militancy expert, speaking of the latest video.

The Guardian

I started the campaign in 2009 after speaking at a meeting in Doncaster where major cuts were mooted.

The Guardian - Books

While many athletes are genuinely grateful to the companies that fund their training bills, there's always something unnerving about watching people sing for their supper when they're supposed to be speaking from the heart.

The Guardian - Opinion

A photo of Robert Mugabe falling down the stairs has spread like wildfire online after the 90-year-old Zimbabwe president took a tumble outside Harare airport, where he had been speaking to supporters.

The Guardian

Updated at 12.37pm ET Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.01am ET16:01 The president begins speaking.

The Guardian

Someone providing their opinion is not, strictly speaking, consenting to their personal data being published under this particular piece of law.

The Guardian - Opinion

In some ways it's crude and heavy-handed, blazing with coarse indignation, but in its day it was, creatively speaking, a game-changer.

The Guardian - Books

In a wide-ranging interview with Guardian Australia, Chappell, who was speaking before the sacking of Mickey Arthur, also said he believed the Australian cricket team would lose both 2013 Ashes series: "At this stage I just don't see any way that Australia could beat England".

The Guardian - Sport

Dick Powell, the actor-turned-director, took the gig for the pay check, said his sonNorman, himself a director, speaking from his home near Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "speaking" in a sentence, ensure the context is clear about who is speaking and the subject matter. For example, "Speaking at the conference, the CEO outlined the company's new strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "speaking" as a direct replacement for the noun "speech" or "address". While "speaking" can function as a noun referring to one's ability to speak, it's often more appropriate to use "speech" or "address" in formal contexts. Instead of saying "His speaking was excellent", consider "His speech was excellent".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "speaking" is as a verb, often in its present participle form. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment. It can also function as a noun, referring to the ability to communicate verbally, or as an adjective, describing something used in speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "speaking" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb, frequently used in its present participle form. It serves various communicative purposes, from conveying information and expressing opinions to addressing audiences. According to Ludwig AI, "speaking" is grammatically correct and widely applicable in written English.

Analysis of Ludwig's examples shows "speaking" is prevalent across diverse contexts, notably in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discourse, as well as more informal settings. The tone is usually neutral. Related terms include "talking", "addressing", and "expressing", each carrying nuanced differences. It is a very common word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking

Focuses on the act of conversation or informal communication.

expressing

Broadly refers to conveying thoughts or feelings through words.

addressing

Implies a more formal or directed form of speaking to an audience.

communicating

Encompasses the broader process of conveying information.

articulating

Emphasizes clarity and precision in expressing oneself.

voicing

Suggests giving expression to an opinion or sentiment.

uttering

Highlights the act of producing sounds or words.

conveying

Focuses on the transmission of a message or idea.

remarking

Indicates making a comment or observation.

presenting

Implies a structured or formal delivery of information.

FAQs

How can I use "speaking" in a sentence?

"Speaking" can be used in various ways, such as in the present participle form (e.g., "He was "speaking loudly""), or as part of a phrase like "generally speaking".

What are some alternatives to "speaking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "talking", "addressing", "discussing", or "expressing".

Is it correct to say "speaking for myself"?

Yes, "speaking for myself" is a correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that you are expressing your personal opinion and not necessarily representing the views of others.

What's the difference between "speaking" and "speech"?

"Speaking" refers to the act of uttering words or the ability to communicate verbally, while "speech" is a noun that refers to a formal address or discourse delivered to an audience. For example, "He is good at "public speaking"", but "He gave a powerful "speech"".