was spoken about

USAGE SUMMARY

"was spoken about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that was discussed, commented on, or debated in speech. For example, "The new political policy was spoken about widely in the media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The parent tongue, called Proto-Indo-European, was spoken about 5,000 years ago by nomads believed to have roamed the southeast European plains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The collaboration between Meirens and Margiela resulted in the creation of a complete and entirely distinctive world, long before fashion was spoken about in those terms.

The New York Times

From that moment onwards it was completely different how women's sport was spoken about in the media and how that impacted on cricket and all the other sports.

The Guardian

For the first time he was spoken about as a gay man and he became the first high-profile celebrity to die from Aids, after openly acknowledging he had the disease.

The Guardian

After his acclaimed 2005 album, Cripple Crow, he was spoken about in the same breath as Joanna Newsom and deemed the linchpin of a movement dubbed "New Weird America".

The Guardian - Music

The report details at length how openly the Habyarimana assassination plot was spoken about in the months before his death; at one point, it notes that President Mobutu Sese Seko of neighboring Zaire (now Congo) got wind of the plans and told Madame Agathe to warn her husband, but she didn't.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The Lucy that Keith was speaking about was a ghost.

The New York Times - Travel

Even being spoken about as a future England centre-half.

Independent

What cannot be spoken about is turned into silent images.

The Guardian - Arts

That's why 2018 is spoken about by people".

The Guardian

"It's been spoken about but not too much.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger, more direct verbs if the context requires active voice and greater clarity, such as "discussed", "mentioned", or "addressed".

Common error

Avoid using "was spoken about" excessively, as overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Instead, opt for active voice constructions when possible to create more direct and engaging sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was spoken about" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received an action of speaking or discussion. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to denote that something has been verbally addressed or mentioned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was spoken about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction to indicate that a topic has been discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its presence across various sources, including news media, scientific publications, and business communications. While useful for emphasizing the subject of discussion, it's essential to avoid overusing passive voice and consider more direct alternatives when appropriate. When choosing between "was spoken about" and related phrases, consider the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discussed

This alternative focuses on the action of discussing, often implying a more formal or structured conversation.

was talked about

This alternative is more informal and general, indicating a casual conversation or discussion.

was mentioned

This suggests a brief or passing reference to something, lacking the depth implied by "discussed".

was addressed

This implies that something was directly confronted or dealt with, suggesting a more proactive approach.

was referred to

This indicates that something was cited or alluded to, often in a more academic or technical context.

was under discussion

This emphasizes the ongoing nature of the discussion, implying that the topic is still being actively debated.

was touched upon

This suggests a brief and often superficial examination of a topic.

was a topic of conversation

This highlights the subject as a central theme or focus of a particular discussion.

was considered

This implies a thoughtful evaluation or deliberation of something.

came up in conversation

This suggests the topic arose spontaneously during a discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "was spoken about" to indicate that a topic was discussed. For example, "The budget cuts "was spoken about" at the meeting".

What's a more concise way to say "was spoken about"?

Alternatives include "was discussed", "was mentioned", or "was addressed", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when discussing topics?

While "was spoken about" is grammatically correct, using active voice can often make your writing more direct. For instance, instead of "the problem was spoken about", you could say "the committee discussed the problem".

What is the difference between "was spoken about" and "was talked about"?

While similar, "was talked about" is generally more informal than "was spoken about". Use "was talked about" in casual contexts and "was spoken about" in more formal or professional settings.