Basic Details
Word: Eloquently
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a clear, fluent and moving way that holds people's attention.
Synonyms: articulately, fluently, expressively, persuasively
Antonyms: haltingly, clumsily, inarticulately
How to Spell Eloquently
Syllables: el - o - quent - ly
Tricky part: Keep the whole of eloquent and just add -ly; the t stays before the l. Writing eloquenly drops it.
Watch out for: eloquentally, eloquantly, eloquenly
Memory tip: Nothing is dropped and nothing is added except -ly, so the end of the word reads -ntly, just like silently.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The writer spoke eloquently about growing up by the sea.
Example 2: The film eloquently shows daily life in a fishing village.
Example 3: She argued eloquently for a longer lunch break.
Fun Fact
The ancient Greek speaker Demosthenes is said to have practised with pebbles in his mouth to cure a stammer and learn to speak clearly.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
eloquentely
a) y
b) e
c) l
d) t
Show answer
b) e. The -ly goes straight onto the t of eloquent, with no e in between.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The chief guest described the soldiers who guard our borders so tlqeunoyel that many in the hall wept.
a) eloquently
b) frequently
c) consequently
d) eloquence
Show answer
a) eloquently. Frequently and consequently share the -quently ending but need an f or a c, which the jumble does not have.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word eloquently as used in the sentence:
In her farewell letter, the retiring headmistress wrote eloquently about her forty years at the school.
a) expressively
b) carelessly
c) angrily
d) briefly
Show answer
a) expressively. Writing eloquently means putting feelings into words well, which is writing expressively.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who would most need to speak eloquently?
a) a night watchman
b) a goalkeeper
c) a bus driver
d) a debate captain
Show answer
d) a debate captain
2. Which word shares the Latin root for speaking with eloquently?
a) colony
b) quantity
c) liquid
d) ventriloquist
Show answer
d) ventriloquist
