speaking to

USAGE SUMMARY

"speaking to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce either an action or a conversation. For example, "Speaking to the audience, the speaker explained his idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And speaking to the media.

The New York Times - Sports

Voices started speaking to her.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Some start speaking to themselves.

The New York Times

speaking to supporters in Boston.

The New York Times

All left without speaking to reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

Mingma wasn't speaking to the press.

The New Yorker

"One person is speaking to another".

The New York Times - Books

Her son was speaking to otters.

The New Yorker

A voice was now speaking to her.

The New Yorker

He is speaking to his lawyers.

Independent

Shows Buchanan speaking to large crowd.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speaking to" to introduce a direct interaction or communication with someone or a group. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially when indicating the act of addressing someone.

Common error

Avoid using "speaking to" in highly formal documents where a more precise term like "addressing" or "communicating with" might be more appropriate. Consider the context to ensure the level of formality matches the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase often acting as an adjectival modifier describing the action of communication. Ludwig indicates that it's used to denote the act of addressing or conversing with someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speaking to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of communicating with someone or a group. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's generally suitable for most situations, it's essential to consider the formality of the context and audience. Alternatives like "addressing someone" or "communicating with" may be more appropriate in highly formal settings. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "speaking to" and similar phrases like "speaking with" to ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addressing someone

Focuses more on formally directing remarks or communication towards someone.

talking with someone

Indicates a conversational exchange, often less formal than "speaking to".

communicating with

Emphasizes the act of conveying information, which can be broader than just speaking.

in conversation with

Highlights the setting of an interaction, which is in a conversation.

consulting with

Suggests a discussion to seek advice or information from someone.

liaising with

Implies a formal connection or cooperation for a specific purpose.

presenting to

Refers to a formal delivery of information or a performance to an audience.

giving a speech to

Specific to delivering a formal, prepared talk.

reporting to

Highlights a hierarchical communication, often in a work context.

corresponding with

Implies written communication rather than spoken.

FAQs

How can I use "speaking to" in a sentence?

You can use "speaking to" to describe the act of communicating with someone, as in, "The manager was "speaking to" the employees about the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "speaking to"?

Alternatives include "addressing someone", "talking with someone", or "communicating with", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "speaking at" instead of "speaking to"?

While "speaking at" can refer to the location of a speech or event, "speaking to" emphasizes the audience or recipient of the communication. For instance, you speak at a conference but are "speaking to" the attendees.

What's the difference between "speaking to" and "speaking with"?

"Speaking to" often implies a more directed form of communication, while "speaking with" suggests a more reciprocal conversation. "Speaking to" can also refer to addressing an audience, which "speaking with" typically doesn't.