give a speech

Meaning

This phrase means to deliver a formal talk or presentation to an audience. It is commonly used in public speaking classes, graduation ceremonies, and academic conferences.

Examples

• She was nervous because she had to give a speech in front of the whole university.

  She was nervous because she had to give a speech in front of the whole university.

• Our professor invited a guest lecturer to give a speech about modern economics.

  Our professor invited a guest lecturer to give a speech about modern economics.

• To pass the public speaking course, you must give a speech on a topic of your choice.

  To pass the public speaking course, you must give a speech on a topic of your choice.

• He prepared for weeks before he had to give a speech at the academic conference.

  He prepared for weeks before he had to give a speech at the academic conference.

• The student council president will give a speech during the graduation ceremony.

  The student council president will give a speech during the graduation ceremony.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have to make a speech tomorrow.

  ✓ I have to give a speech tomorrow.

  While 'make a speech' is occasionally used, 'give a speech' or 'deliver a speech' are the standard, far more common collocations.

• ✗ She gave a speech about her research very good.

  ✓ She gave a speech about her research very well.

  Use the adverb 'well' to describe how the action of giving a speech was performed, not the adjective 'good'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The valedictorian is preparing to ___ at graduation.

  💡 Deliver a formal talk to the audience.

  Show answer

  give a speech

• In my communications class, I have to ___ about environmental issues.

  💡 Present a spoken address to the class.

  Show answer

  give a speech