Sign In Get Started
Prepositions before nouns

Which prepositions go with “speaker”?

Speaker combines with different prepositions depending on meaning. Some combinations describe language ability, topics, audiences, or representation.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with “speaker”

Use speaker of for a language or organization, speaker on for a topic, speaker at for an event, and speaker for when someone represents a group. Speaker to usually refers to the audience addressed. Speaker with is uncommon as a fixed combination and usually introduces extra information.

She is a native speaker of English
The conference invited a speaker on climate policy
He was the main speaker at the event
She acted as speaker for the committee

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
speaker of + language/group

Describing language ability or official position

Use speaker of with languages or formal bodies.

a fluent speaker of Spanish
the speaker of the parliament
2
speaker on + topic

Talking about a subject area

Use speaker on when someone presents or comments on a topic.

a guest speaker on education reform
3
speaker for + group

Representing people or opinions

Use speaker for when a person speaks on behalf of others.

the official speaker for the union
4
speaker to + audience

Addressing a person or group

Use speaker to show who receives the speech or message.

a motivating speaker to young entrepreneurs

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
speaker of
She is a speaker of Arabic.
Used for languages or official titles.
speaker on
He was a speaker on digital security.
Used for topics or areas of expertise.
speaker for
She served as speaker for the campaign.
Used when representing a group.
speaker to
The coach was a speaker to local schools.
Used for the audience being addressed.
speaker with
We invited a speaker with industry experience.
With usually introduces additional details, not a fixed noun-preposition pattern.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “speaker to” for language ability

Use speaker of for languages.

✕ a speaker to French ✓ a speaker of French

Using “speaker on” for an audience

On introduces a topic, not listeners.

✕ a speaker on students ✓ a speaker to students

Confusing “speaker for” and “speaker of”

For means representing people; of often refers to languages or titles.

✕ speaker for English ✓ speaker of English

Treating “with speaker” as a fixed pattern

With usually adds extra information rather than forming a standard combination.

✓ a speaker with clear pronunciation

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is a native ___ English.
2. They invited a speaker ___ artificial intelligence.
3. He acted as speaker ___ the student group.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Can I say “speaker of English”?

Yes. This is the standard way to describe someone who speaks a language.

Is “speaker on” correct?

Yes. It is used when someone talks about a topic, especially at events.

Do we use “speaker with”?

Sometimes, but usually with adds extra description rather than forming a fixed expression.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account