Is 'spoke' or 'spoken' the correct past participle of 'speak'?

'Spoken' is the correct past participle (e.g., I have spoken). 'Spoke' is the simple past (e.g., I spoke yesterday).

Can 'spoken' be used as an adjective?

Yes, very commonly. It describes anything delivered by speech (e.g., spoken instructions, spoken language) or forms compound adjectives describing manner of speech (e.g., soft-spoken).

What does the idiom 'spoken for' mean?

It means 'already claimed, reserved, or in a committed relationship.' For example, 'All the tickets are spoken for' or 'I'm afraid he's spoken for.'

Is there a difference between 'spoken to' and 'spoken with'?

In modern usage, they are largely interchangeable. Some perceive 'spoken with' as implying a more mutual, two-way conversation, while 'spoken to' can imply a more one-sided address, but the distinction is very subtle and often ignored.

Is “spoken” formal?

Spoken is usually neutral in register.

How do you pronounce “spoken”?

Spoken: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspəʊkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspoʊkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

spoken: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈspəʊkən/US/ˈspoʊkən/

Neutral

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “spoken” mean?

The past participle of 'speak', referring to communication using words, or describing language delivered orally rather than in writing.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The past participle of 'speak', referring to communication using words, or describing language delivered orally rather than in writing.

Adjectival use: used to describe language or communication that is produced orally. Also used in compounds (e.g., soft-spoken, well-spoken) to describe a person's manner of speaking or eloquence.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Minor potential differences in the frequency of certain collocations (e.g., 'spoken for' might be slightly more common in BrE). The pronunciation of the suffix '-en' may have a very slight schwa quality in some BrE accents.

Connotations

Identical connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally high frequency in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “spoken” in a Sentence

[be] spoken [by sb] (passive)[have] spoken [to/with sb] [about sth][sth is] spoken [for] (idiomatic)

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

spoken wordspoken languagesoft-spokenwell-spokenplain-spokenspoken for

medium

spoken Englishspoken testimonyspoken agreementspoken dialoguebarely spoken

weak

rarely spokenoften spokenfreely spokenwidely spokenclearly spoken

Examples

Examples of “spoken” in a Sentence

verb

British English

I haven't spoken to Sarah since last week.
The terms were spoken aloud in the meeting.
Have you spoken with the manager yet?

American English

I haven't spoken with Sarah since last week.
The vows were spoken clearly at the ceremony.
Have you spoken to the principal yet?

adverb

British English

(Rare as a standalone adverb; typically part of a compound adjective like 'softly-spoken')

American English

(Rare as a standalone adverb; typically part of a compound adjective like 'plain-spoken')

adjective

British English

He has excellent spoken French.
The course focuses on spoken communication.
She is a very softly-spoken person.

American English

He has excellent spoken Spanish.
The assessment includes a spoken component.
He is a very plain-spoken individual.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Refers to verbal agreements, presentations, or communication skills (e.g., 'strong spoken communication is essential').

Academic

Used in linguistics to contrast with written language (e.g., 'a corpus of spoken English').

Everyday

Commonly used to describe language ability (e.g., 'My spoken French is rusty') or manner of speech (e.g., 'He's very softly-spoken').

Technical

In computing, refers to speech recognition or synthesis (e.g., 'spoken commands').

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “spoken”

Strong

verbal oral vocal

Neutral

saidutteredvoicedexpressedarticulated

Weak

mentionedstateddeclared

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “spoken”

writtenunspokensilenttacit

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “spoken”

Using 'speaked' as the past participle (incorrect: *I have speaked to him).
Overusing 'spoken' to mean 'talkative'.
Confusing 'spoken' (verb form) with 'speaking' as an adjective (e.g., 'a speaking role' vs. 'spoken language').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: 'Spoken' is the correct past participle (e.g., I have spoken). 'Spoke' is the simple past (e.g., I spoke yesterday).
: Yes, very commonly. It describes anything delivered by speech (e.g., spoken instructions, spoken language) or forms compound adjectives describing manner of speech (e.g., soft-spoken).
: It means 'already claimed, reserved, or in a committed relationship.' For example, 'All the tickets are spoken for' or 'I'm afraid he's spoken for.'
: In modern usage, they are largely interchangeable. Some perceive 'spoken with' as implying a more mutual, two-way conversation, while 'spoken to' can imply a more one-sided address, but the distinction is very subtle and often ignored.
: The past participle of 'speak', referring to communication using words, or describing language delivered orally rather than in writing.
: Spoken is usually neutral in register.
: Spoken: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspəʊkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspoʊkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“spoken for (already claimed/reserved)”
“the spoken word”
“soft-spoken”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a 'spoken' promise as one that has been 'spoke-n' (spoken) out loud, not written down.

Conceptual Metaphor

SPEECH IS BREATH/AIR (as in 'uttered', from Latin 'os, oris' mouth). SPOKEN LANGUAGE IS FLUID (contrasted with written language as fixed/solid).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Before the meeting, ensure all the key points have been clearly to the team.

Multiple Choice

In the phrase 'a well-spoken diplomat', what does 'spoken' function as?