As I was walking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As I was walking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a narrative or describe an action that was happening simultaneously with another action or event. Example: "As I was walking through the park, I noticed the beautiful flowers blooming all around me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I was walking I saw several unmarked doors.

The New York Times

As I was walking out the door after the game Alex smiled at me.

Independent

As I was walking out the door, he said: "Well, see these scripts here?

The New York Times

As I was walking down the hallway, I heard a voice behind me.

Independent

As I was walking back to my apartment, I dissembled the curious word stahdahs.

The New York Times

As I was walking up the stairs, I heard a man shouting from behind their door.

The New York Times

"As I was walking into the church, my wedding gown got stuck in the church door.

The New York Times

"As I was walking through the park, people freaked," he said.

The New York Times

As I was walking to the ticket counter, I saw him.

The New York Times - Magazine

"As I was walking over to him, I thought, 'I know this guy.

The Guardian - Film

As I was walking to the car, cannoli in hand, to go back to the hospital, Teri called.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "As I was walking" to set the scene or provide context for a subsequent event. It effectively establishes a timeline of actions, helping your reader understand the sequence of events clearly.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the "As I was walking" phrase as close as possible to the subject it modifies. For example, instead of "As I was walking, the dog barked loudly", write "As I was walking, I heard the dog bark loudly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As I was walking" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause of a sentence. It specifies when the action in the main clause occurred. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "As I was walking" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce a simultaneous action, typically setting the scene or providing context for a main event. Ludwig confirms its validity. The phrase is neutral in tone and primarily appears in news and media, though it's also suitable for personal narratives. When using this phrase, ensure it's placed close to the subject it modifies to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "while I walked" and "during my walk". This adverbial clause of time is a reliable way to establish a clear sequence of events in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

While I walked

Uses 'while' to indicate simultaneous action, differing in conjunction.

During my walk

Rephrases as a prepositional phrase modifying the main clause.

As I strolled

Substitutes 'walking' with 'strolled' for a more leisurely tone.

Whilst I was strolling

Replaces 'as' with 'whilst' and 'walking' with 'strolling' for a slightly more formal tone.

On my walk

Uses a prepositional phrase instead of a dependent clause.

As I ambled along

Replaces 'walking' with 'ambled along', suggesting a more casual pace.

As I hiked

Replaces 'walking' with 'hiked' to imply a more vigorous walk.

During my promenade

Substitutes 'walk' with 'promenade' for a more elegant connotation.

As I traversed

Uses 'traversed' instead of 'walking', indicating a journey across a landscape.

While taking a walk

Changes the structure to focus on the act of taking a walk.

FAQs

How can I use "As I was walking" in a sentence?

"As I was walking" introduces a dependent clause that sets the scene for the main action. For example, "As I was walking, I saw a cat in the street".

What are some alternatives to "As I was walking"?

You can use alternatives like "while I walked", "during my walk", or "as I strolled", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "As I was walking"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "As I was walking" introduces an adverbial clause, which can appear at the beginning of a sentence.

What's the difference between "As I was walking" and "As I walked"?

"As I was walking" implies a continuous action in the past, whereas "As I walked" ("as I walked") suggests a completed action or a habitual action in the past.