spoke to him

USAGE SUMMARY

"spoke to him" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts. For example: I was so angry that I spoke to him in a raised voice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They spoke to him.

The New Yorker

HUGHES: "I spoke to him.

The New Yorker

No one spoke to him.

The New York Times

Ali spoke to him then.

The New Yorker

Q: You spoke to him?

The New York Times

"It really spoke to him".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I've spoken to him.

BBC

Hermann stopped speaking to him.

The New Yorker

"Darren bent down to speak to him.

Independent

She leaned down to speak to him.

The New Yorker

"We have not spoken to him.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spoke to him" in contexts where you want to emphasize a direct communication or conversation with a specific person. Ensure the context clarifies the nature and purpose of the interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "spoke to him" in highly formal or academic writing without considering if a more precise term like "consulted with him" or "addressed him" would be more appropriate. Consider your audience and the desired tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoke to him" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a past action of communicating with someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It typically acts as the predicate in a sentence, describing an interaction between the subject and the person being spoken to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spoke to him" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a past verbal interaction. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by academic and formal business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the surrounding context and audience when choosing this phrase. For more formal situations, alternatives like "addressed him" or "communicated with him" might be more appropriate. Overall, "spoke to him" is a versatile and reliable phrase for indicating a past conversation or communication event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Talked with him

Substitutes "spoke" with "talked", suggesting a more casual conversation.

Addressed him

Replaces "spoke" with "addressed", implying a more formal or direct communication.

Communicated with him

Uses "communicated" instead of "spoke", broadening the scope to include various forms of interaction, not just verbal.

Had a conversation with him

Replaces "spoke" with a more detailed description of the interaction, emphasizing the exchange of ideas.

Held a discussion with him

Emphasizes a more structured and in-depth conversation.

Exchanged words with him

Highlights the act of exchanging language, focusing on the interaction itself.

Interacted with him verbally

Specifies the mode of communication as verbal, clarifying the nature of the interaction.

Consulted with him

Implies seeking advice or information, adding a specific purpose to the conversation.

Reached out to him

Focuses on the initiation of contact, rather than the content of the conversation.

Had words with him

Can imply a negative or confrontational exchange.

FAQs

How can I use "spoke to him" in a sentence?

You can use "spoke to him" in a variety of sentences, such as "I "spoke to him" about the project deadline" or "She "spoke to him" regarding the upcoming conference".

What's a more formal alternative to "spoke to him"?

More formal alternatives to "spoke to him" include "addressed him", "consulted with him", or "communicated with him" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "spoke to him"?

While grammatically correct, "spoke to him" might be too informal for certain contexts. In academic or professional writing, consider if a more specific or formal alternative is more suitable. For example, use "contacted him" or "informed him" to replace "spoke to him".

What's the difference between "spoke to him" and "talked with him"?

"Spoke to him" and "talked with him" are often interchangeable. However, "talked with him" can imply a more conversational or interactive exchange, while "spoke to him" can simply mean that you directed words towards him.