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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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we speak that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we speak that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concept related to communication or expression, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "In our discussions, we speak that which is important to our community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But we speak that way for a reason; it is more effective.

News & Media

Forbes

This story is developing as we speak (that is, they just announced it on their FreeFM show), so be gentle if the information is still a little raw.

News & Media

TechCrunch

They're prepping 16 satellites as we speak that will work with cellular or WiMax-based stations to provide coverage to the other 3 billion people in the world who want those internets.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We are announcing right now, as we speak that Dean Baquet is our new executive editor.

We are sending a signal to the world as we speak that if you harbor a terrorist, there will be a price to pay.

News & Media

The New York Times

He added, "I'm running code as we speak that evaluates how the inferred orbit and mass of Planet Nine are affected by this new object". The Goblin sits right in the middle of the cluster of known objects, he said, and the astronomical search helps scientists home in on Planet Nine's location.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We spoke that afternoon into evening, literally for three hours.

News & Media

HuffPost

We spoke that day from our hearts about race and hatred and love and non-violence.

News & Media

Huffington Post

You asked enviously: "You're going home?" I trembled, as usual, when we spoke that word.

"We can improve more and today we spoke that we want to win matches with more control.

News & Media

BBC

I call you to "catch up," only to find that we've just spoken that morning.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If aiming for a conversational tone, consider rephrasing to "that's what we talk about" or similar constructs that align better with spoken English.

Common error

Avoid using "we speak that" in formal writing. It often sounds stilted or unnatural. Instead, choose a more precise verb that reflects the intended meaning, such as "express", "communicate", or "articulate".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we speak that" functions as a declarative statement, although its grammatical correctness is questionable. It attempts to convey a specific action or focus of communication, but it often lacks clarity. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "we speak that" appears in various contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English. As Ludwig AI suggests, opting for alternatives like "we express that" or "we communicate that" ensures better communication and avoids potential misinterpretations. Given its infrequent and often stylistically awkward usage, it's best to reserve "we speak that" for specific conversational contexts or creative writing where grammatical precision is less critical.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "we speak that"?

You can use alternatives like "we express that", "we communicate that", or "we convey that" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "we speak that" grammatically correct?

Generally, "we speak that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's often better to use more precise and common alternatives.

How can I use "we speak that" in a sentence?

While not recommended, if you must use it, ensure the context is very clear. However, consider rephrasing with a more standard expression for better clarity.

What's the difference between "we speak that" and "that's what we speak about"?

"That's what we speak about" is more idiomatic and grammatically sound than "we speak that". The former indicates the topic of conversation, while the latter is generally considered an awkward phrasing.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: