spoken about

USAGE SUMMARY

"spoken about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used as a past participle phrase to describe something that has been discussed or mentioned in conversation or writing. It can also be used as a verb, as in "to speak about" something. Example: The rumors about the CEO's resignation were widely spoken about in the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It wasn't spoken about".

The New York Times

Issues like that just weren't spoken about".

The Guardian

"It's not spoken about," he says.

The Guardian

"I've not really spoken about that.

BBC

"The Lions hasn't been spoken about once.

BBC

When outsourcing is spoken about, India is spoken about in the same breath.

Forbes

Hu Yaobang was barely spoken about thereafter.

HuffPost

It has not been spoken about enough.

Unicef

"I've already spoken about this.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Or speak about talking.

Independent

Bernstein then spoke about collaboration.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spoken about" when you want to indicate that a topic has been generally discussed or mentioned within a particular context. It's suitable for both formal and informal situations.

Common error

While acceptable, "spoken about" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "discussed" or "addressed" in academic or professional contexts. Consider your audience and the desired tone when selecting the most appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoken about" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular topic or subject has been the recipient of discussion or commentary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and acceptable grammatical form. It highlights the act of something being discussed, rather than who is doing the speaking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spoken about" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase indicating that a subject has been discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its commonality, and the analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academic contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and whether a more precise alternative like "discussed" or "addressed" might be more appropriate. Be aware of overuse, and follow the best practices provided to ensure clarity and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talked about

Replaces "spoken" with "talked", offering a more informal synonym but retaining the core meaning.

discussed

Emphasizes a more formal or deliberate conversation compared to "spoken about".

mentioned

Focuses on the act of briefly referring to something, rather than a detailed discussion.

referred to

Indicates a specific reference was made, often in a formal or academic context.

addressed

Suggests a direct and often formal engagement with a topic.

commented on

Highlights the act of providing an opinion or remark about something.

touched on

Implies a brief or superficial examination of a subject.

expressed

Focuses on the act of conveying thoughts or feelings about something.

articulated

Indicates a clear and detailed expression of something.

covered

Suggests that a topic has been dealt with comprehensively.

FAQs

How can I use "spoken about" in a sentence?

"Spoken about" is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that a topic has been discussed. For example, "The issue of climate change has been widely "spoken about" in recent years."

What are some alternatives to "spoken about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "discussed", "mentioned", or "addressed" instead of "spoken about".

Is "spoken about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "spoken about" is grammatically correct as the past participle of the phrasal verb "speak about". It's commonly used in English.

What's the difference between ""spoken about"" and "talked about"?

While similar, "spoken about" might imply a slightly more formal or general discussion, whereas "talked about" is generally more informal and conversational. Both are acceptable in most contexts.