we spoke with

USAGE SUMMARY

"we spoke with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you two or more people communicated with someone, either verbally or otherwise. For example: We spoke with our neighbors about reducing noise levels at night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We spoke with Bertram by e-mail.

The New Yorker

We spoke with him about his work.

The New York Times

Previously we spoke with Jason Bateman.

The New York Times

We spoke with him today".

The New York Times - Sports

We spoke with Wordsworth about the decision.

Harvard University

Previously we spoke with Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor.

The New York Times

We spoke with Amazon officials too.

The New York Times

We spoke with Waters to learn more.

The Washington Post

We spoke with five of them again.

The New York Times

We spoke with Sacco about his approach.

The New Yorker

We spoke with enthusiasm for three hours.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. If you want to emphasize a formal consultation, "we consulted with" might be more appropriate. If you're reporting facts after gathering information, "we interviewed" may be a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual synonyms like "we chatted with" in formal reports or academic papers. Stick to "we spoke with" or more formal alternatives depending on your target audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we spoke with" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a conversation or communication occurred between the speakers and another party. It directly reports an event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

29%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we spoke with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a conversation or communication has taken place. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable and widely understood. It's most commonly found in news and media, academic, and science contexts. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality required by the context, and choose synonyms accordingly. For more formal settings, "we consulted with" may be appropriate, while "we chatted with" could work in a more casual context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we talked to

Replaces "spoke" with "talked", a more informal synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

we had a conversation with

Emphasizes the interaction as a conversation, adding more detail to the communication.

we communicated with

Focuses on the act of communication, which may not necessarily be verbal.

we consulted with

Suggests seeking advice or information from someone.

we interviewed

Implies a more structured conversation, often for gathering information.

we conferred with

Indicates a formal discussion or exchange of opinions.

we engaged in dialogue with

Highlights a back-and-forth exchange and mutual understanding.

we held discussions with

Suggests a series of conversations or meetings.

we exchanged words with

A more literary or formal way of saying that a conversation happened.

we addressed the matter with

Implies bringing up a specific topic during the conversation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we spoke with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "we consulted with", "we conferred with", or "we held discussions with".

What's a more casual way to say "we spoke with"?

If the context allows for a less formal tone, you could use phrases like "we talked to", or "we chatted with".

When is it appropriate to use "we interviewed" instead of "we spoke with"?

Use "we interviewed" when you conducted a structured conversation with the specific intent of gathering information, typically following a set of questions.

Is there a difference between "we spoke with" and "we communicated with"?

"We spoke with" typically implies a verbal exchange. "We communicated with" is broader and could include written communication, such as emails or letters.