Have a word means to talk to someone briefly, usually in private: Can I have a word with you? Most often a serious or awkward conversation follows: a request, a complaint or bad news. In British English, have a word with someone about something often means asking them to stop doing something annoying: I'll have a word with him about the noise.
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have a word (with + person) (about + topic); Can I have a word?; have a quick word; have words with + person
- Can I have a quick word with you before the meeting starts?
- The neighbours were loud again, so I had a word with them about the music.
- Our teacher had a word with me after class about my late homework.
What changed
First versionCan I have word with you after the meeting?
RevisionCan I have a word with you after the meeting?
The phrase is fixed, and the article a is essential: have a word. It's easy to drop, and without it have word sounds like a broken fragment. The correction puts a back.
Have a word means to talk. Have words, without a and in the plural, means to argue: They had words about the parking space. A couple of letters turn a calm chat into a quarrel.
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Before you leave, can I ___ with you about tomorrow's schedule?
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have a word — To ask for a short talk, you say have a word with. Say a word isn't used with with: it means to utter even a single word, usually in negatives: She didn't say a word all evening.
Write a short message asking a colleague or neighbour for a chat. Say when suits you and what you want to talk about.
Hi Mark, could I have a word with you on Thursday morning about the parking spaces?
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