when we spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past conversation or discussion that took place between the speaker and another person. Example: "When we spoke last week, you mentioned some interesting ideas about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Zahalka adamantly denied this when we spoke.

The New Yorker

Thomas repeated the denial when we spoke.

The New York Times - Sports

When we spoke, Wang described something similar.

The New Yorker

When we spoke last July, Obama recalled those serial displacements.

The New York Times - Magazine

When we spoke recently, she praised Martelly warmly.

The New Yorker

When we spoke on Saturday, he sounded vindicated.

The New York Times

When we spoke recently, he passed along some key ideas.

The New York Times

When we spoke again afterward, he was circumspect.

The New Yorker

"He was very serious when we spoke," Mr. Long said.

The New York Times

"Where will you go?" I asked Teny when we spoke.

The New Yorker

When we spoke, she was still bothered by Trump's statement.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context of "when we spoke" is clear to your audience. If the conversation was private or not widely known, briefly summarize the relevant details.

Common error

Avoid using "when we spoke" without providing sufficient context. Readers or listeners who were not part of the conversation may not understand the reference. Always provide a brief reminder of the topic discussed to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we spoke" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by providing the temporal context for the statement. Ludwig examples show it sets the stage for recalling past discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when we spoke" is a versatile phrase used to reference past conversations, serving as an adverbial clause of time. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, remember to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity for your audience. Consider related phrases like "during our conversation" or "as we discussed earlier" to vary your language. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "when we spoke" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during our conversation

Focuses on the act of conversing, rather than a specific instance.

when we last talked

Emphasizes the most recent instance of a conversation.

as we discussed earlier

Highlights a previous discussion, implying continuity.

in our previous discussion

Formally references an earlier conversation.

when I interviewed you

Specifies the context as an interview scenario.

when we had a conversation

A more formal and elaborate way to express the original phrase.

during our previous meeting

Refers to a formal meeting where the conversation occurred.

the last time we chatted

Uses a more casual term ('chat') for the conversation.

earlier when we were talking

Slightly informal, emphasizing the act of talking.

as I mentioned before

Focuses on the act of mentioning something in a past conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "when we spoke" to refer to a prior conversation. For example, "When we spoke, you mentioned some interesting ideas about the project".

What are some alternatives to "when we spoke"?

Alternatives include "during our conversation", "when we last talked", or "as we discussed earlier" depending on the context.

Is "when we spoke" formal or informal?

"When we spoke" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

How does "when we spoke" differ from "when we talked"?

The phrases "when we spoke" and "when we talked" are often interchangeable. However, "when we spoke" might imply a more structured or purposeful conversation, while "when we talked" can be more general and casual.