to say what someone else thinks or wants, usually because you have their permission or authority.
I can't speak for everyone, but I think we should start the meeting now.
A: Are you all coming to dinner tonight? B: I can only speak for myself—I'll be there, but I'm not sure about the others.
In my opinion, and I think I can speak for most students in my class, we would prefer to have more practical lessons.
Common mistake
✗I speak in the name of my colleagues.
✓I speak for my colleagues.
Use 'speak for someone', not the calque 'in the name of'.
Tell it apart
I'll speak for the group.
represent their views
I'll speak to the group.
address them
Use 'speak for' when you are giving someone else's opinion, not just your own.'Speak for' is different from 'speak to' (talk directly to someone) and 'speak about' (talk about a topic).
C2speak for myself/ourselves/himself, etc. sthspoken
to make it clear that you are only expressing your own views or experiences, not those of others, often to avoid overgeneralising or to show modesty.
I can't speak for everyone, but I found the new policy quite effective.
A: Do you think the whole team agrees with the decision? B: I can only speak for myself, but I think it was the right move.
While some may disagree, I can only speak for myself when I say that online learning has significantly improved my productivity.
Common mistake
✗Speaking to myself, I didn't enjoy it.
✓Speaking for myself, I didn't enjoy it.
The set phrase is 'speak FOR myself' (give my own view), not 'speak to myself' (talk aloud alone).
Tell it apart
Speaking for myself, it was great.
just my own view
He was talking to himself.
muttering aloud
This phrase is commonly used in formal or discursive speech and writing to politely clarify that you are not assuming your views apply to others. It signals modesty or respect for differing opinions.Unlike the B1 sense, which is about expressing someone else's views, this sense is about deliberately limiting your statement to your own perspective.