Speak of sth Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Speak of sth” Mean?

“Speak of sth” means to talk about a particular subject or thing. It is often used when mentioning something that was just referred to or expected.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “Speak of sth” is a common expression in English that means to talk or mention a specific topic or thing. The phrase often appears in conversations when someone brings up a subject or when something related to the subject suddenly appears. Understanding the Speak of sth meaning helps learners use it naturally in speaking and writing. This phrasal verb is useful because it connects topics smoothly and keeps conversations flowing.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Speak of something
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To talk about or mention something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Speak of sth” is a transitive phrasal verb and is inseparable. This means you cannot separate “speak” and “of” by inserting the object in between.

Pattern: speak + of + something

Example: She spoke of her childhood often.

How to Use Speak of sth?

Use “speak of sth” when you want to say that someone talks about a particular thing or topic. It is often used in formal or semi-formal conversations and writing. You can use it to introduce a subject or refer back to something mentioned before. It is also used in expressions like “speak of the devil” to react when someone you were just talking about appears.

Examples

When we speak of climate change, we must consider its effects on wildlife.

• He spoke of his experiences during the war.
• The teacher spoke of the importance of honesty.
• We often speak of our dreams for the future.
• In the meeting, they spoke of new company policies.
• Speak of sth in a sentence: She spoke of her plans to travel next year.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse “speak of sth” with “talk about sth” or misuse the preposition.

• Incorrect: She spoke about of her success.
• Correct: She spoke of her success.
• Incorrect: They speak of about the problem.
• Correct: They speak of the problem.

Differences / Synonyms

“Speak of sth” is similar to “talk about sth,” but “speak of” is slightly more formal and often used to introduce or refer to a subject briefly. “Talk about” is more casual and common in everyday speech.

Example difference:

• Speak of: She spoke of her childhood memories.
• Talk about: We talked about the movie last night.

Common Collocations

When using “speak of,” some common objects include:

• Speak of the past – referring to previous events
• Speak of problems – mentioning difficulties
• Speak of hopes – discussing wishes or expectations
• Speak of plans – talking about future intentions
• Speak of changes – referring to alterations or updates

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “speak of sth”:

Anna: Did you hear about the new project?

Ben: Yes, they spoke of it during the meeting yesterday.

Anna: I hope it brings positive changes.

Ben: Me too. Speaking of changes, have you updated your resume?

Practice

Choose the correct sentence using “speak of sth”:

• a) He spoke of his journey to Japan last year.
• b) He spoke about of his journey to Japan last year.
• c) He spoke the journey of Japan last year.

Answer: a)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use “speak of” and “talk about” interchangeably?
  A: Often yes, but “speak of” is more formal and brief.
• Q: Is “speak of” separable?
  A: No, it is inseparable; the object comes after “of.”
• Q: What does “speak of the devil” mean?
  A: It is an expression used when someone you were just talking about appears.
• Q: Can “speak of sth” be used in questions?
  A: Yes, for example, “Did you speak of the new rules?”
• Q: Is “speak of” formal or informal?
  A: It is more formal than “talk about,” but still common in everyday speech.