- Do you ever wonder if you’re using the right verb with “speech”?
- Are you unsure whether to say “make a speech” or “do a speech”?
- Do you want to sound more natural and fluent when talking about speaking?
English collocations are like the secret handshake of native speakers. When you master them, your language instantly sounds more natural, clear, and confident. For learners, understanding collocations with “speech” is essential to avoid awkward phrasing and express yourself with precision, whether you’re discussing public speaking, communication, or even grammar.
Essential Collocations using SPEECH as a Noun
The word “speech” primarily functions as a noun in modern English, referring to the act of speaking, the faculty of uttering words, or a formal address. Understanding how it partners with other words is key to fluency.
Verbs that Go with Speech
These verbs describe actions related to delivering, preparing, or having the ability to speak.
- give a speech: To deliver a formal address to an audience.
The CEO will give a speech on the company’s future vision at the annual conference.
- make a speech: Similar to “give a speech,” commonly used in British English or for less formal occasions, but perfectly acceptable in formal ones too.
She was nervous to make a speech at her friend’s wedding reception.
- deliver a speech: To present a formal speech, often emphasizing the act of presentation and its impact.
The politician carefully delivered his speech, pausing for dramatic effect.
- prepare a speech: To write, research, and organize the content for a presentation.
He spent hours researching and preparing his speech for the debate.
- lose your speech / regain your speech: To temporarily or permanently lose/recover the ability to speak.
After the accident, it took weeks for him to regain his speech fully.
- have the power of speech: To possess the fundamental human ability to speak.
As humans, we have the power of speech, which is crucial for communication.
Adjectives Describing Speech
These adjectives qualify the type, quality, or characteristics of a speech or a person’s speaking ability.
- public speech / public speaking: The act of addressing an audience. While “public speech” can refer to an individual address, “public speaking” is more common for the skill or activity itself.
Many people fear public speaking, but practice can build confidence.
- a formal speech: A speech delivered in a serious, official, or ceremonial context.
The President’s address was a very formal speech about international relations.
- an impromptu speech: A speech given without preparation or prior notice.
He had to give an impromptu speech when the main speaker couldn’t make it.
- direct speech: Quoting someone’s exact words (a grammatical term).
“I’m coming home,” she said, which is an example of direct speech.
- indirect speech / reported speech: Reporting what someone said without quoting directly (a grammatical term).
She said that she was coming home, which is an example of reported speech.
- maiden speech: The first speech made by a new Member of Parliament or a newly elected official.
The new MP was nervous about her maiden speech in the House of Commons.
Nouns that Go with Speech
These nouns often follow “speech” to form common phrases or compound nouns, describing related concepts or types of speech.
- freedom of speech: The right to express one’s opinions without censorship or restraint.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right in many democratic countries.
- parts of speech: Categories of words based on their grammatical function (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).
Learning the different parts of speech is fundamental to understanding English grammar.
- speech impediment: A condition that makes it difficult for someone to speak clearly.
The child received therapy for a speech impediment that affected his pronunciation.
- speech therapy: Treatment designed to help people with communication or swallowing problems.
After his stroke, he attended regular speech therapy sessions to regain his speaking ability.
- speech pattern: The characteristic way a person speaks, including accent, rhythm, and intonation.
Her regional accent created a distinctive speech pattern that was easy to recognize.
Master Summary: Key Collocations with SPEECH
Here’s a quick reference guide to some of the most essential collocations with “speech” discussed above.
| Collocation | Part of Speech (of ‘speech’ in the collocation) | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| give a speech | Noun | Deliver a formal address |
| make a speech | Noun | Deliver a formal address (often BrE or less formal) |
| deliver a speech | Noun | Present a formal speech |
| prepare a speech | Noun | Write and organize a speech |
| lose your speech | Noun | Lose the ability to speak |
| public speaking | Noun (as part of a compound noun/gerund phrase) | The act or skill of addressing an audience |
| formal speech | Noun | A serious, official address |
| impromptu speech | Noun | An unplanned speech |
| freedom of speech | Noun | Right to express opinions freely |
| parts of speech | Noun | Grammatical categories of words |
| speech impediment | Noun | Difficulty in speaking clearly |
| speech therapy | Noun | Treatment for communication problems |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid common learner errors by choosing natural English collocations. Don’t translate directly from your native language!
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| do a speech | give a speech / make a speech |
| speak a speech | deliver a speech |
| free speech | freedom of speech |
| have a speech problem | have a speech impediment |
| speech for public | public speaking |
| report speech | reported speech / indirect speech |
“The young intern, Sarah, was incredibly nervous. Tomorrow, she had to deliver a speech to the entire department about her latest project. She’d spent hours diligently preparing her speech, meticulously outlining every point. Her biggest fear was public speaking, a common anxiety for many, but she knew this was her chance to shine. Her mentor reminded her about the importance of freedom of speech in sharing innovative ideas and encouraged her to simply give her speech with conviction, rather than worrying about perfection. Despite a slight speech impediment she’d worked on since childhood, Sarah was determined to succeed.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Speech Collocations
What’s the difference between “give a speech” and “make a speech”?
“Give a speech” is widely used in both American and British English for formal addresses. “Make a speech” is also correct and very common, particularly in British English, and can sometimes feel slightly less formal or more spontaneous, though it’s still suitable for formal contexts like weddings or awards. Both are generally interchangeable when referring to delivering an address.
Can “speech” be used as a verb?
In modern standard English, “speech” is overwhelmingly a noun. The verb form is “speak.” While historically “speech” might have had very rare or archaic verbal uses, for all practical purposes in 2024, you should always use “speak” as the verb and “speech” as the noun.
What prepositions are commonly used with “speech”?
Common prepositions with “speech” include:
- of speech: (e.g., freedom of speech, parts of speech, power of speech)
- for speech: (e.g., therapy for speech impediments)
- in a speech: (e.g., “He mentioned it in his speech.”)
- on speech: (e.g., “The discussion was on speech patterns.”)
Is “public speech” or “public speaking” more common?
“Public speaking” is significantly more common and natural when referring to the activity or skill of addressing an audience. “Public speech” typically refers to an individual speech given in public (e.g., “The mayor’s public speech was well-received”), but the general concept or skill is almost always “public speaking.”
How can I improve my use of speech collocations?
The best way is through consistent exposure and active practice. Read widely in English, paying close attention to how native speakers use “speech” in various contexts. Actively try to incorporate these new collocations into your own writing and speaking. Additionally, using resources like a corpus (e.g., Google Books Ngram Viewer) can help you verify which word combinations are most frequent and natural.
I've heard people say 'slurred speech' when someone is tired or sick. Is that a common collocation?
I like the 'secret handshake' analogy. It really feels like that when you finally get these right!
It really is, Amelie! Once you master collocations, you stop sounding like a translation app and start sounding like a natural speaker.
What is the difference between 'a speech' and 'an address'?
Are there any adjectives that commonly go with speech? Like 'persuasive speech' or 'eloquent speech'?
Absolutely, Ananya! 'Persuasive,' 'eloquent,' 'inspiring,' and 'brief' are all excellent adjectives to use with 'speech.'
Great post! I’m going to try using 'deliver a speech' in my next English presentation to sound more professional.
Is it correct to say 'write a speech' or should I say 'prepare a speech'?
Both are correct, Sofia! 'Write a speech' focuses on the act of putting words on paper, while 'prepare a speech' includes writing, researching, and practicing.
This article really helped me for my IELTS preparation. Collocations are the hardest part of the vocabulary section for me.
We're glad to help, Min-jun! Using collocations like 'deliver a powerful speech' will definitely help you score higher in the lexical resource category of the IELTS.
I always get confused with 'parts of speech.' That's a different meaning of 'speech,' right?
Could you clarify if 'give a speech' is more American and 'make a speech' is more British? I've heard conflicting things.
You're on the right track, Rajesh! 'Make a speech' is slightly more common in British English, while 'give a speech' is the go-to in American English, but both are understood and used worldwide.
What about 'impromptu speech'? I had to give one at a wedding and it was terrifying!