as he speaks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he speaks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening simultaneously with someone speaking, often to emphasize the immediacy or relevance of the action. Example: "As he speaks, the audience hangs on his every word, captivated by his storytelling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dzeko plays as he speaks.

The New York Times - Sports

As he speaks, Molly receives a message.

Independent

He lives as he speaks.

The Guardian

His eyes narrow as he speaks.

The New York Times

He chokes up as he speaks.

The Guardian - Film

His face crumples suddenly as he speaks.

The Guardian

Branches fall even as he speaks.

The New York Times - Science

He's practically fizzing as he speaks.

The Guardian - Music

As he speaks, he jabs his finger in the air.

Independent

As he speaks, a clangor arises in the background.

The New York Times - Arts

As he speaks, there is a noise at the door.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as he speaks" to create a sense of immediacy, drawing the reader or listener into the scene. For example, "As he speaks, the crowd roars with approval."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently within the sentence. For instance, don't write "As he speaks, the building shook" – instead, maintain consistency by writing "As he speaks, the building is shaking" or "As he spoke, the building shook."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he speaks" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating that an action or event occurs simultaneously with the act of someone speaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and prevalent across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as he speaks" functions as an adverbial clause denoting simultaneity between someone's act of speaking and another ongoing action. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While neutral in register, it commonly appears in News & Media and lends immediacy to descriptions. Alternatives include "while he is talking" and "during his speech". Practical usage tips involve maintaining tense consistency. Overall, "as he speaks" is a versatile and effective way to link speech with concurrent events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while he is talking

Replaces "speaks" with the continuous form "is talking", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action.

while giving his remarks

Substitutes "speaks" with "giving his remarks", which is suitable for more casual settings.

during his speech

Focuses on the period of the speech rather than the act of speaking itself.

just as he's talking

Uses a contraction and 'just as' to convey immediacy and close timing.

as he delivers his address

More formal; uses "delivers his address" instead of "speaks", suited for formal speeches.

at the moment he says

Highlights the specific instant of speaking, adding emphasis to that particular point in time.

in the course of his speaking

Emphasizes the duration and progression of the act of speaking.

simultaneous to his speech

Uses a more technical term, 'simultaneous', to denote the timing relationship.

concurrently with his speaking

A more formal and less common way to indicate that events happen at the same time as someone is speaking.

as words leave his mouth

Figurative; emphasizes the moment of speech, often used for dramatic effect.

FAQs

How can I use "as he speaks" in a sentence?

Use "as he speaks" to indicate that something is happening at the same time someone is talking, adding immediacy to the description. For example, "As he speaks, the translator frantically takes notes".

What can I say instead of "as he speaks"?

You can use alternatives like "while he is talking", "during his speech", or "as he delivers his address" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as he spoke" instead of "as he speaks"?

Yes, "as he spoke" is also correct. "As he speaks" refers to the present, while "as he spoke" refers to the past. For example: "As he speaks, I understand his point" (present) vs. "As he spoke, I began to understand his point" (past).

What's the difference between "as he speaks" and "while he's talking"?

Both phrases indicate simultaneity, but "as he speaks" can sometimes imply a more formal or immediate connection between the speech and the concurrent event, while "while he is talking" is generally more informal and neutral.