we should speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we should speak" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting a conversation or discussion about a particular topic or issue. Example: "I believe we should speak about the upcoming project deadlines to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should speak".

The New Yorker

"When there's discrimination, we should speak up," he said.

The New York Times

And yet, despite these difficulties and limitations, we should speak.

The Guardian - Books

"He made it clear that if we had a concern, we should speak with him.

The New York Times

When I ask him what language we should speak, he says, "Whatever you prefer".

The New York Times - Magazine

We should live by what we preach and we should speak out.

The Guardian

We should speak to each other in a spirit of mutual respect".

The Guardian

Perhaps we should speak of Thomson's astonishing array of "voices," anyway, not his voice.

The New York Times - Books

Jean Gabin said to Renoir, "I don't think we should speak so much.

The Guardian - Film

We should speak honestly and frankly about fertility and the fact it falls off a cliff when you're 35.

Independent

"When shall we tell them?" asks R. "I think we should speak to them separately," I say.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we should speak" when you want to propose a conversation about something important or when you are suggesting that a viewpoint or opinion needs to be voiced.

Common error

Avoid using "we should speak" without clearly indicating the topic or reason. This can make your communication seem vague or insincere. Always provide context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we should speak" functions primarily as a suggestion or recommendation to engage in a conversation. It implies that there is a need or benefit to having a discussion, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we should speak" is a versatile and commonly used expression for suggesting a conversation or discussion. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, though it is primarily found in news and media sources. Alternatives like "we ought to talk" or "let's discuss" can offer slight variations in formality or emphasis. When using "we should speak", ensure you provide sufficient context to avoid vagueness and to clearly convey the purpose of the suggested conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we ought to talk

Replaces "should" with "ought to", suggesting a moral obligation or advisability to speak.

we need to discuss

Emphasizes the necessity of having a conversation.

we have to address

Highlights the urgency and importance of speaking about something.

let's talk about it

Offers a more informal and direct way to propose a conversation.

it's important to discuss

Stresses the significance of having a discussion.

we must communicate

Focuses on the general need for communication rather than a specific instance of speaking.

we should mention

Suggests bringing something up in conversation or writing.

it would be advisable to speak

Presents a more formal suggestion to speak.

we might consider speaking

Introduces a more tentative suggestion to speak.

let's have a word

Offers an informal way to suggest a brief conversation.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "we should speak"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "it would be advisable to speak" or "we ought to talk", which suggest a sense of obligation or importance.

When is it appropriate to use "we should speak"?

Use "we should speak" when you want to suggest a conversation or discussion about a specific topic, especially when it's something important or requires immediate attention.

What can I say instead of "we should speak" to sound more casual?

For a more casual approach, try "let's talk about it" or "let's have a word", which are more informal and direct ways to propose a conversation.

How does "we should speak" differ from "we must discuss"?

"We should speak" suggests a general need for conversation, while "we must discuss" implies a greater urgency and necessity for a detailed discussion about a particular issue.