we spoke to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we spoke to' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to something you discussed with someone, for example: "We spoke to our supervisor about the project yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We spoke to two psychologists.

Independent

We spoke to her later.

The New York Times - Sports

"We spoke to the match commissioner.

Independent

My own parents we spoke to.

The New York Times - Science

We spoke to him about his book.

The New York Times

Nobody we spoke to seems confident.

The Guardian - Tech

We spoke to Johnny Marr earlier.

The Guardian - Music

Well, no one we spoke to voted".

The Guardian - Music

We spoke to families of the deceased.

The New Yorker

One Old Etonian we spoke to agreed.

The Guardian - Music

"We spoke to him via a speakerphone.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we spoke to" when you want to emphasize a direct conversation or interview you had with someone, especially when reporting information or gathering opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "were spoke to" instead of "we spoke to". The passive voice can make the sentence awkward and less direct. Use active voice for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we spoke to" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating that the speaker or writer had a conversation with someone. Ludwig examples confirm its use in introducing information gathered from individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we spoke to" is a grammatically correct and very common way to introduce information gathered from a direct conversation or interview. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is primarily used in news and media contexts to add credibility by providing firsthand accounts or expert opinions. When using this phrase, make sure to use active voice and to focus on reporting a conversation directly. Alternatives like "we talked with" or "we interviewed" can be considered depending on the specific context. It is versatile and effective for conveying information sourced directly from individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we talked with

Uses "talked with" instead of "spoke to", maintaining a similar level of formality.

we had a conversation with

Replaces "spoke to" with a more formal expression "had a conversation with".

we interviewed

Suggests a more structured conversation, like a formal interview.

we consulted with

Implies seeking advice or information from someone.

we conferred with

Indicates a formal discussion or meeting.

we communicated with

A broader term that encompasses various forms of communication, not just speaking.

we engaged in a dialogue with

Highlights a two-way exchange of ideas.

we addressed

Implies speaking to someone about a specific issue.

we had words with

Suggests a potentially negative or confrontational conversation.

we made contact with

Focuses on the act of initiating communication, not necessarily a deep conversation.

FAQs

How to use "we spoke to" in a sentence?

Use "we spoke to" to indicate that you had a conversation with someone. For example, "We spoke to the manager about the issue".

What can I say instead of "we spoke to"?

You can use alternatives like "we talked with", "we had a conversation with", or "we interviewed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we were spoke to" instead of "we spoke to"?

No, "we were spoke to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "we spoke to", which uses the active voice.

What's the difference between "we spoke to" and "we communicated with"?

"We spoke to" implies a direct, verbal conversation, while "we communicated with" is a broader term that can include written or other forms of communication.