we spoke earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we spoke earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a previous conversation or discussion that took place at an earlier time. Example: "As we spoke earlier, I will send you the report by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We spoke earlier".

The New York Times - Magazine

We spoke earlier of Boeing and its attempt to make electric trolleys.

The New York Times

We spoke earlier of the appetite in some circles for sequels.

The New York Times

When we spoke earlier today, you said that you were headed to one of the first restaurants to re-open in Port-au-Prince.

The New Yorker

We spoke earlier this winter at her University of Chicago offices and also at the Hyde Park home she shares with her husband of 62 years, Donald Rowley, a research pathologist.

The New York Times - Science

Knowledge@Wharton: We spoke earlier about companies that haven't done such a great job recognizing the power of social media.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So we spoke early on, and he said, 'Your writing isn't anything to do with me.' He's fine with it.

The Guardian - Music

As we spoke early in the delay, Williamson was lamenting the difficulty of gaining access to the golfers during a delay.

The New York Times - Sports

When we spoke early in August, Mr. Abdulaziz was 58 days away from a move to Berlin.He wants to continue exploring both himself and his photography.He wants to confront his fears.And he wants to be closer to his girlfriend, Ida, a Swedish ballet dancer and the subject of a much different, distinctly personal photo essay, "Love Is Not a Color Photograph".

The New York Times

We didn't actively try to raise money in Singapore, but we spoke early on to Vinnie Lauria and Jeffrey Paine, who are good friends and run Golden Gate Ventures in Singapore.

TechCrunch

By contrast, in rural settings, "There aren't options," Swearer said, when we spoke earlier this month.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we spoke earlier" to smoothly transition back to a topic that has already been introduced. This helps maintain context and avoids unnecessary repetition.

Common error

Don't assume your audience recalls the prior conversation in detail. Briefly recap the key points to ensure everyone is on the same page when using "we spoke earlier".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we spoke earlier" functions as a reference to a past conversation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It sets the stage for revisiting a previously discussed topic or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we spoke earlier" is a correct and commonly used expression that refers back to a previous conversation. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to provide context and establish a connection to a prior exchange. When using this phrase, briefly recap the key points from the prior discussion to ensure clarity for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we discussed this before

Refers to a previous discussion on the same topic, emphasizing the subject matter.

as we discussed previously

Formally acknowledges a prior discussion, often used to introduce a point.

as i mentioned earlier

Highlights a point previously made by the speaker.

we previously talked about

Indicates a past conversation focusing on a specific topic.

during our previous conversation

Refers to a specific past conversation, setting a context.

in our earlier discussion

Highlights an earlier exchange of ideas or information.

earlier, we had a conversation about

Emphasizes the fact that a conversation happened before.

as we established earlier

Emphasizes that a fact was already clarified and agreed upon.

we touched on this before

Suggests that the topic was mentioned but not deeply explored.

i brought this up earlier

Highlights that the speaker was the one who introduced the topic previously.

FAQs

How can I use "we spoke earlier" in a sentence?

You can use "we spoke earlier" to refer back to a previous conversation. For example, "We spoke earlier about the budget, so I'm glad to see the changes implemented."

What is a more formal alternative to "we spoke earlier"?

Formal alternatives include "as we discussed previously", "during our prior conversation", or "in our earlier discussion".

Is it necessary to recap the prior conversation when using "we spoke earlier"?

It's often helpful to briefly recap the main points of the previous conversation, especially if some time has passed or if the audience may not fully remember the details. This ensures clarity and keeps everyone on the same page.

What's the difference between "we spoke earlier" and "I mentioned earlier"?

"We spoke earlier" implies a two-way conversation, whereas "I mentioned earlier" indicates that the speaker brought up the topic previously, without necessarily engaging in a full discussion.