utter a speech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter a speech" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of delivering or expressing a speech verbally. Example: "During the ceremony, the mayor will utter a speech about the importance of community service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When he does, it is to utter a climactic speech of such utopian idealism as to begin to attract the ominous attention of America's right wing - especially as that peroration is so clearly Chaplin himself speaking, not his creation.

The Guardian - Books

Whenever a speaker utters a sentence, speech sound waves travel to the outer ear, middle ear, and cochlea and are transformed into neural activity which is received and decoded by the brain.

BioMed Research International

"Hitler merely had to utter the word 'peace' in a speech to arouse the newspapers to enthusiasm, to make them forget all his past deeds, and desist from asking why, after all, Germany was arming so madly," Zweig wrote.

The New Yorker

Further, since it is merely a type of sentence, one can utter a performative without performing a speech act.

SEP

First, she could use H1in her own speech, utter a sentence like (3b), and be corrected by her parents or caregivers; second, she could hear a sentence like (3c) uttered by a competent speaker, and realize that that sentence is not generated by her hypothesis, H1.

SEP

A robotic assistant created by researchers from Carnegie Mellon and other universities comes equipped with a speech synthesizer to utter questions like, "Have you taken your aspirin?" and voice recognition software to understand the replies.

The New York Times - Tech

As we have seen, one can perform a speech act without uttering a performative.

SEP

In Judaism, it's a sin to utter hateful speech.

Huffington Post

He constructed a speech synthesiser capable of uttering short, simple sentences, but was better known for his mechanical man, dressed in a Turkish costume and seated behind a wooden cabinet, that could play chess.

The Economist

RICHARD FEYNMAN, a Nobel-prize-winning physicist, declared in a speech in 1974 that science requires "a kind of utter honesty".

The Economist

Watching Obama deliver his statement Thursday about the Charleston murders, you couldn't help but sense how submerged his emotions were, how, yet again, he was forced to slow down his own speech, careful not to utter a phrase that would, God forbid, lead him to lose his equanimity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utter a speech", consider the formality of the context. While grammatically correct, it might sound slightly more formal or literary than alternatives like "give a speech" or "deliver a speech".

Common error

Avoid using "utter a speech" in casual settings. It can sound stilted or pretentious when simpler alternatives would be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter a speech" functions as a verbal phrase where "utter" is a verb denoting the action of speaking, and "a speech" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable, although not as common as its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter a speech" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of giving a speech. Ludwig indicates it's acceptable, though less common than alternatives like "deliver a speech" or "give a speech". It leans towards a more formal or literary tone, making it suitable for written contexts and formal speaking engagements. When deciding to use this phrase, consider the audience and the context to ensure that the level of formality aligns with the overall message. While authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian feature the phrase, its relative infrequency suggests that simpler alternatives may often be preferred for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliver a speech

Emphasizes the act of presenting a prepared speech.

give a speech

A more common and general way to describe presenting a speech.

make a speech

Similar to 'give a speech', but can sometimes imply a more formal occasion.

recite a speech

Suggests that the speech is being repeated from memory.

present a speech

Highlights the formal presentation aspect of the speech.

pronounce a speech

Implies a formal and sometimes ceremonial delivery.

voice a speech

Focuses on the act of expressing the speech aloud.

articulate a speech

Emphasizes clarity and precision in the delivery of the speech.

orate a speech

Suggests a grand and eloquent style of speaking.

render a speech

Similar to 'deliver', but may imply a performance aspect.

FAQs

What is a more common way to say "utter a speech"?

More common alternatives include "deliver a speech" or "give a speech", which are generally preferred in modern English.

Is "utter a speech" grammatically correct?

Yes, "utter a speech" is grammatically correct, but it is less frequently used compared to other similar phrases.

In what context is it best to use the phrase "utter a speech"?

The phrase "utter a speech" is suitable for formal or literary contexts. In everyday conversation, consider using more common alternatives.

What is the difference between "utter a speech" and "deliver a speech"?

While both phrases refer to giving a speech, "deliver a speech" is a more common and neutral expression. "Utter a speech" carries a slightly more formal and literary tone.