was to speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to speak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a past intention or plan to communicate or deliver a speech. Example: "His main purpose for attending the conference was to speak about the latest advancements in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humphrey was to speak there.

The New Yorker

Huang was to speak.

MIT Technology Review

I was to speak on Wiener's theory!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lincoln's great skill was to speak simply.

The Guardian - Opinion

She was to speak neither too soon nor too much.

The New Yorker

That night, King was to speak at Mason Temple.

The New Yorker

His priority was to speak directly to voters themselves.

The Guardian

No one was to speak of his or her crime.

The New York Times - Magazine

The second was to speak up and then be killed.

The Guardian

The mistake that Obama made was to speak the truth.

The New York Times

Morrison said his tendency was to speak his mind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to speak" when you want to indicate a past arrangement or plan that involved someone delivering a speech or communicating in a formal setting. For example, "The keynote speaker was to speak about the future of technology."

Common error

Avoid using "was to speak" when describing current or future events. Instead, use "is to speak" or "will be speaking" to maintain correct tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to speak" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a past intention, arrangement, or scheduled event where someone was expected to deliver a speech or presentation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to speak" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate a past intention, scheduled event, or arrangement involving someone giving a speech or presentation. As Ludwig AI highlights, its primary function is to communicate about planned or expected speaking engagements, commonly found in news, academic, and professional contexts. Remember to use it to refer to arrangements in the past; and consider alternatives like "was scheduled to speak" or "was going to speak" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled to speak

Focuses on the scheduling aspect of the speaking engagement.

was supposed to speak

Emphasizes an expectation or obligation to speak.

was going to speak

Indicates a plan or intention that existed in the past.

was set to speak

Indicates readiness or preparation for the speaking engagement.

was intending to speak

Highlights the intention to speak, possibly contrasting with the outcome.

had planned to speak

Stresses the planning aspect of the speaking arrangement.

was programmed to speak

Focuses on a pre-arranged or automated speaking slot.

was designated to speak

Highlights that the person was officially chosen to speak.

was down to speak

Suggests that the person was on a list or roster to speak.

had been selected to speak

Emphasizes that the person was picked from a pool of candidates to speak.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was to speak" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use "was scheduled to speak", "was designated to speak", or "was tasked with speaking".

Is it correct to use "was to speak" for future events?

No, "was to speak" is used to describe past arrangements or intentions. For future events, use "is to speak" or "will be speaking".

What's the difference between "was to speak" and "was supposed to speak"?

"Was to speak" indicates a planned arrangement. "Was supposed to speak" implies an expectation or obligation, which may not have been fulfilled.

Can I use "was to speak" in informal conversation?

Yes, "was to speak" is acceptable in informal conversation, but alternatives like "was going to speak" might sound more natural.