we gave them the right to speak about us vs we gave them the right to speak for us

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'We gave them the right to speak about us' implies that they can talk regarding us, while 'We gave them the right to speak for us' suggests that they can represent us. The choice between 'about' and 'for' depends on whether you want them to discuss you or act as your spokesperson.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 784 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"we gave them the right to speak about us"

This phrase is used when granting someone permission to discuss or mention you in their speech or writing.

Examples:

We gave them the right to speak about us in the press conference.
She was given the right to speak about us in the meeting.

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In so doing, these states disregarded other provisions of this Convention that gave them the right to search aircraft where there were reasonable grounds for suspicion that the plane was being used for illegal purposes.
You lost the right to speak about parenthood when you abandoned your wife and daughter on Christmas Eve.
You lost the right to speak about parenthood when you abandoned your wife and daughter on Christmas Eve.
Who gave them the right to decide if I should be here, if I might have something to contribute?
Guess it is hard that they believed you gave them the right map.
Who gives you the right to speak about moral hazard?
It does give them the right to watch me rot.
I think that earns them the right to a point of view.
We are being asked to deny them the right to life.
We only ensure them the right to a fair trial.
I don't know if I have a right to speak about it.
I also intended to speak about the culture of distrust, about the right to apply Article 206 and about the fact that the Commission must expect discharge to be refused if it does not give a clear and appropriate signal.
To speak about the rights of the child and to leave out the issue of their right to be brought up in natural families, where there is a father and a mother, is a violation of their rights.
They have some twisted ideas about resisting progress, which they think gives them the right to hold us back in any way that they can.
They think their money gives them the right to treat people like toys.
We cannot hope for the development of these regions of Southern Europe and then deny them the right to have essential infrastructure.
It would be hypocritical of us to deny them the right to move around the European Union.
The ETS allocates a number of permits to operators, each giving them the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide per year.
And that agreement gives them the right to terminate you if you refuse to submit to a polygraph.
In our deal with EA Sports we are giving them the right to use images of the crack babies and their names.

Alternatives:

We allowed them to talk about us.
We permitted them to discuss us.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"we gave them the right to speak for us"

This phrase is used when granting someone the authority to represent you or act on your behalf in communication or decision-making.

Examples:

We gave them the right to speak for us in negotiations.
He is authorized to speak for us in the meeting.

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In so doing, these states disregarded other provisions of this Convention that gave them the right to search aircraft where there were reasonable grounds for suspicion that the plane was being used for illegal purposes.
Everyone has the right to speak here, Mrs Soltwedel-Schäfer, and everyone speaks for themselves.
Who gave them the right to decide if I should be here, if I might have something to contribute?
I have waited almost 20 years for the right to speak for six minutes in the Chamber, but to do so before an audience such as this was a real pleasure.
Guess it is hard that they believed you gave them the right map.
It does give them the right to watch me rot.
I think that earns them the right to a point of view.
We are being asked to deny them the right to life.
We only ensure them the right to a fair trial.
I have a right to speak for two minutes with my woman.
I must remind the House that, under Rule 110a(4), the rapporteur is fully within her rights to speak for two minutes.
But under the rules, he has no right to speak for the dead and prosecute you.
They have some twisted ideas about resisting progress, which they think gives them the right to hold us back in any way that they can.
They think their money gives them the right to treat people like toys.
We cannot hope for the development of these regions of Southern Europe and then deny them the right to have essential infrastructure.
It would be hypocritical of us to deny them the right to move around the European Union.
The ETS allocates a number of permits to operators, each giving them the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide per year.
And that agreement gives them the right to terminate you if you refuse to submit to a polygraph.
In our deal with EA Sports we are giving them the right to use images of the crack babies and their names.
I do not concede that the training of doctors gives them the right to decide what is best for patients.

Alternatives:

We authorized them to represent us.
We empowered them to act on our behalf.

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we gave them the right to speak about us vs we gave them the right to speak for us