speaking of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaking of him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a topic related to someone who has been mentioned in a preceding section of the text. For example: John had a great time at the party last night. Speaking of him, do you know what he's planning to do this weekend?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

By Ruth Lambert Jones The New Yorker, December 29 , 1928P. 39 In speaking of Him View Article By Alan Burdick By Larissa MacFarquhar By Phil Klay By Emily Witt.

The New Yorker

By Ruth Lambert Jones The New Yorker, December 29 , 1928P. 39 In speaking of Him View Article By Rivka Galchen By Jia Tolentino By Naomi Fry By Malcolm Gladwell.

The New Yorker

I was speaking of him only yesterday.

The New Yorker

The state media that once hounded Mr Nemtsov began speaking of him in neutral terms.

The Economist

Ma, speaking of him, said, "He does everything with a good spirit".

The New Yorker

Republicans in Congress have begun speaking of him with respect, even pining.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

They never spoke of him again.

The New Yorker

They spoke of him as a brother".

The New Yorker

No one spoke of him again.

The New Yorker

People speak of him glowingly.

The New York Times

Picoult spoke of him glowingly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speaking of him" to smoothly transition to a discussion about someone already mentioned, creating a natural flow in your writing or conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "speaking of him" if the person hasn't been previously mentioned, as it will confuse your audience. Ensure there's a clear connection to a prior reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking of him" serves as a transitional phrase, linking a previous topic to a related one concerning a specific individual. It's a conversational device used to shift focus, often adding new information or perspective, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speaking of him" is a common and correct phrase used to transition into a discussion about someone previously mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and primarily used in news and media contexts. While it can be used in both formal and informal communication, alternatives like "regarding him" or "concerning him" might be more appropriate for highly formal settings. Avoid using this phrase if the person hasn't been previously mentioned to ensure clarity and context. Remember to use it to create a smooth and logical flow in your writing or conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding him

Focuses on the topic of 'him', similar to 'speaking of him' but more formal.

concerning him

Like 'regarding him', this is a more formal substitute.

on the subject of him

A slightly more elaborate way to introduce a topic related to 'him'.

talking about him

A more direct and less nuanced alternative.

with respect to him

Implies a more respectful tone when discussing 'him'.

as for him

Used to shift the focus specifically to 'him'.

in relation to him

Highlights the connection or relationship to 'him'.

about him

A very general and simple alternative.

considering him

Implies a deliberate act of thinking or evaluating 'him'.

referring to him

Specifically denotes the act of making reference to 'him'.

FAQs

How can I use "speaking of him" in a sentence?

Use "speaking of him" to introduce a new piece of information or change the subject back to someone you were previously discussing. For example, "John was great at the party. "Speaking of him", did you hear about his promotion?"

What are some alternatives to "speaking of him"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding him", "concerning him", or "as for him" depending on the context.

Is "speaking of him" formal or informal?

"Speaking of him" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal alternatives include "regarding him" or "with respect to him".

When is it appropriate to use "speaking of him"?

It's appropriate to use "speaking of him" when you want to smoothly transition to a new topic related to a person who has already been mentioned in the conversation.