spoke informally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spoke informally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a conversation or communication style that is casual and relaxed, rather than formal or structured. Example: "During the meeting, she spoke informally, making everyone feel at ease and encouraging open dialogue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

After a luncheon given at Gracie Mansion by the Mayor & Mrs. Lindsay, the writer accompanied the Mayor to Columbia University where he spoke informally to the students.

The New Yorker

The subject had come up about six hours earlier when Brodhead, and Bobby Fong, the president of Butler, sat in Fong's spacious office and spoke informally about a wide range of issues.

The New York Times - Sports

Sorensen spoke informally at every Welliver dinner, and he was always surprisingly funny — surprising, because funny is not what you expect from earnest, seemingly wooden, Midwestern progressives with horn-rimmed glasses and dorky haircuts.

The New Yorker

But he spoke informally, joking about the strange restrictions imposed by the Secret Service and noting that on Marine One, the presidential helicopter, his daughters were most awed by the dish of Starburst candies.

The New York Times - Arts

He wore a tie, unlike the days when he was a candidate, and wore a dark suit and a white shirt with the collar opened, but he spoke informally, joking about the strange restrictions imposed by the Secret Service and noting that on Marine One, the presidential helicopter, his daughters were most awed by the dish of Starburst candies.

The New York Times - Arts

As in previous years, the main attraction was Tom Friedman, who spoke informally with Aspen Institute CEO Walter Isaacson from the stage.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Catalan is spoken informally in southern France, but the region is dominated officially by French.

The Economist

We, so to speak, informally shared out the work that was available.

Independent

Since Mr. Vedrine had spoken informally at the French Embassy residence here, a transcript was not available, a French official said.

The New York Times

She told employees she had spoken informally with Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, since being chosen as Yahoo's chief executive.

The New York Times - Tech

Azzarelli has already spoken informally with the Jets, who have indicated they will not stand in Testaverde's way and will release him June 1 if he has a chance to start elsewhere.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spoke informally" to describe situations where the conversation is relaxed and not bound by strict rules or etiquette.

Common error

Avoid using "spoke informally" in contexts that demand a high degree of formality, such as legal proceedings or official ceremonies. Choose a more appropriate term like "stated" or "addressed" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoke informally" functions as a verb phrase and adverb combination, indicating the manner in which someone communicated. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a casual and relaxed style of speaking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spoke informally" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe casual, unstructured communication. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its use suggests a relaxed and approachable manner of speaking. While predominantly found in news and media, it can also appear in scientific and general contexts. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where a formal register is not required, opting for more structured language in professional or academic environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talked casually

Focuses on the casual nature of the conversation, omitting the 'speaking' action.

communicated informally

Replaces 'spoke' with a broader term 'communicated', emphasizing the informality of the exchange.

chatted informally

Implies a more lighthearted and friendly conversation compared to 'spoke'.

had a casual conversation

Replaces the verb 'spoke' with a noun phrase describing the type of conversation.

expressed themselves casually

Shifts focus to the manner of expression, highlighting the relaxed approach.

conversed in a relaxed manner

Highlights the relaxed nature of the conversation.

gave an off-the-cuff speech

Implies spontaneity and lack of preparation in the speech.

addressed the topic casually

Highlights the casual way the topic was approached.

made an informal address

Emphasizes the casual nature of the delivery of address.

engaged in relaxed dialogue

Highlights the relaxed nature of the dialogue.

FAQs

How to use "spoke informally" in a sentence?

You can use "spoke informally" to describe a conversation that is casual and relaxed. For example: "He "spoke informally" with the students after the lecture."

What can I say instead of "spoke informally"?

Alternatives include "talked casually", "communicated informally", or "chatted informally". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "spoke informally" or "spoken informally"?

"Spoke informally" is the past tense. "Spoken informally" would be used after an auxiliary verb, such as "had". For example, "He had "spoken informally" to them before."

What's the difference between "spoke informally" and "addressed formally"?

"Spoke informally" suggests a relaxed and casual conversation, while "addressed formally" indicates a structured and respectful communication, often in a public setting.