spoken to him

USAGE SUMMARY

"spoken to him" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "The teacher spoke to him about his poor behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I've spoken to him.

BBC

"I've spoken to him since Turkey.

Independent

"We have not spoken to him.

Independent

I had never spoken to him.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had not spoken to him before.

Independent

Have you spoken to him?

The New Yorker

"I've not spoken to him.

The Guardian

Has Valentine spoken to him?

The New York Times - Sports

"I haven't spoken to him since last May.

Independent

"Of course I have spoken to him and the club have also spoken to him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I have not spoken to him since".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spoken to him", ensure the context clearly indicates who "him" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in contexts where a different tense is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "I will spoken to him", use "I will speak to him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoken to him" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a perfect tense construction (e.g., "I have "spoken to him""). As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spoken to him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. The phrase communicates that a conversation or communication has taken place with another person. While alternatives like "talked with him" or "communicated with him" exist, "spoken to him" remains a direct and effective way to convey the occurrence of a conversation. It's important to ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity about who "him" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talked with him

Emphasizes a conversation, similar to "spoken to him" but with a slightly more informal tone.

had a conversation with him

Highlights the interaction as a conversation, offering a more descriptive alternative.

communicated with him

Focuses on the act of communication, broader than just speaking.

conversed with him

Implies a more formal or elaborate conversation.

held discussions with him

Implies formal conversations or meetings

been in contact with him

Suggests any form of contact, not necessarily verbal.

chatted with him

Suggests a friendly or casual conversation.

shared words with him

A more poetic or indirect way of saying "spoken to him".

addressed him

Focuses on directing speech towards him, but doesn't guarantee a reciprocal conversation.

had words with him

Can imply a disagreement or argument, depending on context.

FAQs

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

"Spoken to him" and "talked to him" are often interchangeable, but "spoken to him" might imply a slightly more formal or specific instance of communication, while "talked to him" is more general.

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

You can use "spoken to him" in sentences like: "I have "spoken to him" about the issue", or "She had "spoken to him" earlier today".

What can I say instead of "spoken to him"?

Alternatives include "talked with him", "had a conversation with him", or "communicated with him" depending on the context.

Is "spoken to him" grammatically correct?

Yes, "spoken to him" is grammatically correct. It uses the past participle of "speak" correctly in the present perfect or past perfect tense.