proper speech
Grammatically sound language
Proper speech is language that conforms to social standards of correctness and decorum—grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and tone considered appropriate for formal or polite settings.
The phrase often carries class implications, suggesting educated or refined expression: She was taught proper speech at finishing school.
What counts as proper varies by context; proper speech at a job interview differs from proper speech at a poetry slam.
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
- silver tongueNatural persuasive ability
- articulateExpress clearly, or well-spoken
- dictionChoice of words
- elocutionFormal speaking skill
speak clearly · grammar · etiquette · formal · polished · refined · finishing school · good breeding · courteous · mannered · enunciation · clarity · precise · decorum · mind your manners · table manners · correct · pronunciation
- Clean Languagerefined language
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- language policylanguage laws, language politics, official language, official languages, language education
- language biasregional bias, language shaming, language snobbery, prescriptivism, linguistic purism
proper speechslang
Informal in-group vocabulary
street talk · broken English · gutter talk · colloquial speech · informal speech
proper speechmumbling
Indistinct, quiet speech
slurred speech · muttering · slurring · stammering · babbling
proper speechprofanity
Vulgar or obscene speech
swearing · cursing · foul language · vulgar language · obscenity
proper, speech, properly, propriety, improper, improperly, proprietary, appropriate, inappropriate