speaking of something else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaking of something else" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when transitioning to a different topic or subject in a conversation or text. Example: "Speaking of something else, have you heard about the new restaurant opening downtown?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was speaking of something else.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When she did, she often also spoke of something else dear to her heart: the Museum for African Art.

The New York Times - Arts

But in Syria, on several occasions, we heard people speak of something else: rain.

The New York Times

Certain places have always been felt to be especially close to the divine world, because of some exceptional feature which seemed to speak of "something else".

The New York Times

And I was speaking on something else.

The New York Times

The preponderant influence of black and brown players speaks to something else about the nature of football, a characteristic that lends the game a persistently subversive, rebellious quality.

The Guardian - Sport

But for people who never had the opportunity to speak before, it's the beginning of something else.

Vice

Loosely speaking, skeuomorphism means "making stuff look as if it is made of something else".

The Guardian - Tech

Art is, so to speak, for its own sake and not for the sake of something else, like [End Page 248] moral education or edification.

Johns Hopkins University

You may also need to speak to your doctor if you have persistent bad breath; this could be a sign of something else that needs attention.

WikiHow

Think of something else.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your transitional phrases to avoid repetition; consider alternatives like "on a different note" or "changing the subject".

Common error

Avoid using "speaking of something else" when the new topic is directly related to the previous one; in such cases, a more direct transition is preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking of something else" serves as a transitional device. Ludwig confirms its use in shifting the conversation to a different topic. It functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a new subject, distinct from the preceding discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speaking of something else" functions as a transitional element used to introduce a new, often unrelated, topic in a conversation or text. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates its common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider alternatives for more formal settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to smoothly shift the focus to a different subject, but avoid using it if the new topic is directly related to the previous one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a different note

This alternative offers a more concise way to transition to a new subject.

changing the subject

This phrase is a more direct and explicit way to indicate a change in topic.

turning to another matter

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes a deliberate shift.

in other news

This phrase is commonly used to introduce a new topic, especially in journalistic contexts.

by the way

This is a casual way to introduce a related or unrelated topic.

moving on

This phrase implies a deliberate transition away from the current topic.

let's switch gears

This is a more metaphorical way of indicating a change in topic, implying a shift in focus or approach.

that reminds me

This phrase is used to introduce a topic that is tangentially related to the previous one.

as an aside

This phrase indicates that the following statement is a digression from the main topic.

to digress

A formal way to introduce a departure from the main subject.

FAQs

What does "speaking of something else" mean?

It's a phrase used to signal a transition to a new, often unrelated, topic in a conversation or piece of writing. It indicates a shift in focus away from the current subject.

How can I use "speaking of something else" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a new topic, like this: "We were just discussing the weather. Speaking of something else, did you see the news about the new downtown restaurant opening?"

What are some alternatives to "speaking of something else"?

You can use alternatives like "on a different note", "changing the subject", or "by the way" to introduce a new topic.

Is "speaking of something else" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral to slightly informal, suitable for everyday conversation and writing, but potentially less appropriate in highly formal or academic contexts.