that you spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that you spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that someone has previously said or mentioned in conversation. Example: "I remember the story that you spoke about during our last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Do the members of the A.N.A. that you spoke to see it that way?

The New York Times

"Our viewers appreciate the fact that you spoke to us in French tonight," the interviewer says.

The New Yorker

Please be sure to make these notes personal – reference something that you spoke about during the interview.

Columbia University

"We told him if we have information that you spoke to Team X or Team Y, we have an obligation to report it".

The New York Times - Sports

And I have watched and hoped as the presidency progressed, waiting for you to bring about this change that you spoke of.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jay said: "We know from the core records that you spoke to Mr Michel that day twice, once for one minute and the second time for six minutes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

You can listen to a love song that's not in the language that you speak.

The New York Times

What do you call the language that you speak out loud? It's Kuwaiti Modern Arabic.

The New Yorker

Garnett: How did you come up with the Innovative ideas that you speak about?

Forbes

And the language that you speak in Hollywood is successful franchise.

HuffPost

Interesting that you speak of Obama.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that you spoke", ensure the context is clear about who is speaking and what they spoke about. This adds precision to your writing and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that you spoke" when it's unclear who the speaker is or what specific thing was said. Vague references can confuse the reader. Always provide sufficient context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that you spoke" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing more information about it. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in referring to previously mentioned topics or statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that you spoke" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to reference something previously mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms that it's commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and general writing. While acceptable in various contexts, it's crucial to ensure clarity and avoid vague references. Alternatives like "that you mentioned" or "what you said" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "that you spoke" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that you mentioned

Replaces "spoke" with a more neutral term for bringing something up.

that you talked about

Substitutes "spoke" with a more general term for discussing a topic.

that you discussed

Uses a slightly more formal verb than "talked about".

what you said

Simplifies the phrase using "said" instead of "spoke".

that you alluded to

Replaces "spoke" with a verb implying indirect reference.

the topic you addressed

Focuses on the topic and uses a more formal verb.

the point you raised

Highlights a specific point made in a discussion.

that you communicated

Replaces "spoke" with a broader term for conveying information.

the things you expressed

Focuses on the expression of ideas rather than the act of speaking.

that you articulated

Uses a more formal term for expressing something clearly and effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "that you spoke" in a sentence?

Use "that you spoke" to refer back to a specific thing someone said previously, like: "I remember the idea "that you spoke" about during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "that you spoke"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "that you mentioned", "that you discussed", or "what you said".

Is it correct to say "that you had spoke" instead of "that you spoke"?

No, "that you had spoke" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past tense form is ""that you spoke"".

What's the difference between "that you spoke of" and "that you spoke about"?

While both are acceptable, "that you spoke about" is more common and generally preferred in contemporary English. "That you spoke of" is slightly more formal and can sound archaic.