spoke at length

USAGE SUMMARY

"spoke at length" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is generally used to indicate that someone spoke a great deal on a particular subject. For example: The politician spoke at length about his views on immigration reform.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He spoke at length.

The New Yorker

The woman spoke at length.

The New Yorker

We spoke at length about his family.

The New York Times

And he spoke at length.

The New York Times

He spoke at length about Russell Westbrook.

The New Yorker

During her visit, we spoke at length about her diabetes.

Harvard University

Trump spoke at length during the signing, thanking congressional Republicans.

The Guardian

For his research, Schultz spoke at length to Arbus's therapist.

The Guardian - Arts

In fact, Montessori spoke at length about education for peace.

The Guardian

"We spoke at length, and her story seemed valid".

The Guardian - Money

He spoke at length, but mostly about other subjects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spoke at length" when you want to emphasize that someone discussed a topic thoroughly and comprehensively. It implies a significant amount of time was dedicated to the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "spoke at length" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "discussed extensively" or "elaborated on" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoke at length" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of the predicate in a sentence. It indicates the action of speaking about something in a detailed and extended manner. This is well supported by the Ludwig examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spoke at length" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that signifies a detailed and extended discussion. As shown by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with notable usage in academia as well. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it's advisable to vary your language and employ synonyms to prevent overuse. Considering that Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, remember to use it when you want to emphasize a thorough and comprehensive discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoke extensively about

This alternative uses a synonym for "at length" maintaining a formal register.

discussed extensively

This alternative uses "discussed" instead of "spoke", emphasizing a more interactive exchange of ideas.

talked at length about

This alternative is more conversational and informal than "spoke at length".

elaborated on

This phrase emphasizes the provision of more details and clarification on a subject.

went into detail about

This phrase highlights the comprehensive and specific nature of the discussion.

expounded on

This alternative is more formal, suggesting a thorough and systematic explanation.

gave a detailed account of

This phrase emphasizes a comprehensive and structured presentation of information.

dwelt on

This phrase indicates a prolonged focus on a specific point or aspect.

presented a thorough analysis of

This suggests a more analytical and structured discussion.

offered a comprehensive overview of

This phrase emphasizes a broad and inclusive summary of a topic.

FAQs

What does "spoke at length" mean?

"Spoke at length" means to talk about something for a considerable amount of time and in great detail. It indicates a thorough discussion of a particular topic.

How can I use "spoke at length" in a sentence?

You can use "spoke at length" to describe someone who discussed a topic thoroughly. For example, "The professor "spoke at length" about the implications of the new research."

What are some alternatives to "spoke at length"?

Some alternatives to "spoke at length" include "discussed extensively", "elaborated on", or "went into detail about". These phrases all convey the idea of a thorough discussion.

Is "spoke at length" formal or informal?

"Spoke at length" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic contexts. In more casual settings, you might prefer alternatives like "talked about it a lot".