as I speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I speak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening at the same time as the speaker is talking or writing. Example: "I am currently drafting the report, and new data is coming in as I speak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet as I speak, she smiles.

The New York Times - Health

As I speak, Elian is safe.

The New York Times

My voice crackles as I speak.

The New Yorker

Hightower: "It's sinking in as I speak.

The Guardian - Sport

And his eyes fill as I speak.

The Guardian - Books

Even as I speak, these drummers are going at it".

The New York Times

"I have this nauseous feeling as I speak.

The New York Times

She reads over my shoulder as I speak.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I can't think that I would offend you by speaking as I speak to myself.

The New Yorker

"As I speak, terrorist attacks of unprecedented proportions are underway in the Paris area.

Independent

As I speak, deficits remain near historic highs – and interest rates remain near historic lows.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as I speak", ensure that the action you are describing is genuinely happening at that moment to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "as I speak" to refer to actions that will happen immediately after you finish speaking. The phrase indicates simultaneity, not immediate succession. If you're speaking to a person who is standing in front of you, you will be speaking before and after they stand there, not simultaneously. Be explicit with the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I speak" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating that an action or state is occurring simultaneously with the act of speaking. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as I speak" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and formal business settings, it serves to highlight actions occurring in real-time with a neutral to slightly formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure the action is genuinely concurrent to create immediacy and credibility. Alternatives such as "while I am talking" or "at this very moment" can be used for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we speak

This alters the subject, making it more inclusive but maintaining the same temporal meaning.

while I am talking

This option is a more literal and direct substitute, focusing on the act of speaking.

at this very moment

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy of the action happening concurrently with the speech.

in real time

This alternative highlights the immediacy and lack of delay in the action.

right now

This provides a simple, direct indication of the present time.

at this instant

This option highlights the precise timing of the event coinciding with the speech.

at the present time

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the current timeframe.

simultaneously

This single word clearly conveys that two things are happening at the same time.

currently

This single word replacement offers a concise way to indicate something happening now.

at this juncture

This is a more formal alternative, emphasizing the specific point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "as I speak" in a sentence?

"As I speak" is used to indicate that something is happening simultaneously with your utterance. For example, "The negotiations are continuing "as I speak"."

What can I say instead of "as I speak"?

You can use alternatives like "while I am talking", "at this very moment", or "right now" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as I'm speaking" instead of "as I speak"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "as I speak" is generally more concise and formal. "As I'm speaking" /s/as+I'm+speaking adds a continuous aspect, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the speech act.

What's the difference between "as I speak" and "while I speak"?

Both phrases indicate simultaneity, but "as I speak" is slightly more emphatic and immediate. "While I speak" suggests a more general concurrence, whereas "as I speak" suggests something is actively happening at that precise moment.