speaks with this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaks with this" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to someone communicating or expressing something, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "He speaks with this tone that makes everyone listen."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Every member I talk to about the Wooster Group speaks with this kind of ecstatic devotion.

The Guardian

According to a writer at Condé Nast, who requested anonymity because he works at a sister publication, "Anna's two great talents are that she understands her readers and she speaks with this incredible authority to advertisers".

The New York Times

And so what inevitably happens is you bring your actor in and you look at the script and you go, "I need to change all this because this actor uses these kind of words and speaks with this cadence".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Afterward we will speak with this boy.

The New York Times

Franklin Roosevelt spoke with this kind of accent, as did Nelson Rockefeller when he was young.

The New Yorker

Some of the women in her novels speak with this sort of confident humor.

The New Yorker

"It became known to them that they needed to speak with this young boy," Mr. Whitmore said.

The New York Times

Yet even Anderson's coöperating counterpart now doubts the wisdom of playing ball, so to speak, with this doping investigation, given all that's transpired.

The New Yorker

I wanted to speak with this blogger, I said, and was eager to read excerpts from the correspondence cited in the post.

The New Yorker

Most of the Republicans I spoke with this week found it difficult to think of anything substantive about their party that should change.

The New York Times

And of all the presidential candidates who have visited upstate South Carolina, Mr. Lawson said, "he's the first one to ask to speak with this group".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's manner of speaking, be specific about the qualities you want to convey. Instead of "speaks with this", try "speaks with authority", "speaks in a measured tone", or "has a confident way of speaking."

Common error

Avoid using general phrases like "speaks with this" without specifying the characteristic. This creates ambiguity. Instead, provide detail such as "speaks with a heavy accent" or "speaks with great enthusiasm."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaks with this" functions as an incomplete descriptor. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically incorrect without further specification. It requires a noun or adjective to describe the manner of speaking. Examples of proper usages include "speaks with confidence" or "speaks with a lisp".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speaks with this" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its lack of specificity. As Ludwig AI points out, it requires a descriptor to complete its meaning. While examples exist in news and wiki contexts, it is advisable to use more descriptive alternatives to ensure clarity and effectiveness. Phrases like "speaks eloquently", "speaks with authority", or specifying a tone or accent offer better alternatives. Therefore, avoid using the phrase in formal writing. It's better to use more specific phrases to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaks in this manner

Replaces 'with' to specify a particular style or way of speaking.

speaks in this fashion

Replaces 'with' to specify a particular style or way of speaking.

speaks using this tone

Focuses on the tone of voice employed during speaking.

expresses himself in this way

Shifts the focus to overall expression, not just speech.

communicates with this style

Highlights the communication style rather than the specific act of speaking.

has this way of speaking

Emphasizes a characteristic or habitual manner of speaking.

speaks with this accent

Highlights a particular accent used during speech.

utters with this inflection

Replaces the word 'speaks' with 'utters' and changes 'speaks with this' into inflection.

articulates with this clarity

Changes from speaking to articulating and highlights how clearly words are formed.

delivers in this cadence

The tone of the voice.

FAQs

How can I describe someone's speaking style more effectively than using "speaks with this"?

Instead of "speaks with this", use more descriptive phrases that highlight specific qualities. For example, "speaks eloquently", "speaks passionately", or "speaks authoritatively" offer clearer and more vivid portrayals.

What are some alternatives to "speaks with this" that emphasize tone or emotion?

To emphasize tone or emotion, consider alternatives like "speaks in a calm voice", "speaks with excitement", or "speaks with disappointment". These phrases add emotional context to the description.

Is "speaks with this" grammatically correct, and if not, why?

No, "speaks with this" is not grammatically correct. It lacks a specific object or descriptor to complete the phrase. A correct usage would include a noun or adjective describing the manner of speaking, such as "speaks with confidence" or "speaks with a lisp".

When is it appropriate to use a more specific phrase instead of the vague "speaks with this"?

It is always preferable to use a more specific phrase. Instead of using a vague construction like "speaks with this", choose a phrase that accurately portrays the speaker's manner, such as "speaks clearly", "speaks softly", or "speaks hesitantly".