as I spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred simultaneously with the act of speaking or to refer to a specific moment during a conversation. Example: "As I spoke, I noticed her expression change, revealing her true feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I spoke, I started to sob.

The New Yorker

I watched her as I spoke.

The New Yorker

As I spoke, my heart sank.

The New York Times

Slowly, as I spoke, it got easier.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My heart pounded as I spoke.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'd been signing unconsciously as I spoke.

The New Yorker

I saw the excitement in his eyes as I spoke.

Independent

I realized, as I spoke, how important this moment was.

The New York Times

He looked me straight in the eyes as I spoke.

The New York Times

But I saw her face very clearly as I spoke.

The Guardian - Books

The official listened calmly, nodding his head as I spoke.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as I spoke" to create a sense of immediacy, drawing the reader or listener into the moment of the speech act and the events unfolding simultaneously.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, overuse of "as I spoke" can make writing sound repetitive or informal, especially in academic or professional settings. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "while I was speaking" or more specific temporal clauses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I spoke" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that describes something happening simultaneously with the act of speaking. As indicated by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as I spoke" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a temporal conjunction, used to describe events occurring simultaneously with the act of speaking. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, though it can also appear in business or more formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it adds meaningful context or immediacy to your writing. Consider alternatives like "while I was speaking" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while I was speaking

Emphasizes the duration of the speech act; slightly more focused on the continuous nature of the speaking.

as I was talking

Similar to 'while I was speaking', highlighting the action of talking.

during my speech

More formal and emphasizes a structured speech event.

as I delivered my remarks

More formal and highlights the act of delivering prepared remarks.

the moment I said that

Focuses on a specific statement and its immediate consequences.

while addressing the audience

Focuses on the action of addressing an audience and simultaneous events.

upon uttering those words

Emphasizes the moment of speaking specific words and their immediate aftermath.

as I presented my argument

Emphasizes the act of presenting a structured argument and concurrent events.

in the course of my address

Formal, indicates occurrence during a planned address or speech.

as words left my mouth

Poetic or dramatic, highlighting the moment of speech.

FAQs

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

Use "as I spoke" to describe actions or feelings that occurred at the same time you were speaking. For example, "As I spoke, I noticed her expression change."

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

You can use alternatives like "while I was speaking", "as I was talking", or "during my speech" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as I spoke"?

Yes, "as I spoke" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate simultaneity between the act of speaking and another event.

What's the difference between "as I spoke" and "as I said"?

"As I spoke" emphasizes the action of speaking, while "as I said" focuses on the content of what was spoken. Use "as I spoke" when describing something that happened during the act of speaking, and "as I said" when referring back to a specific statement.