as he talked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he talked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events occurring simultaneously with someone speaking. Example: "As he talked, the audience listened intently, hanging on his every word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As he talked he smoked.

The New Yorker

As he talked, others gathered around.

The New Yorker

Carter smiled as he talked about Turner.

The New Yorker

He bobbed his head as he talked.

The New Yorker

He laughed quite often as he talked.

The Guardian - Opinion

As he talked, he flitted about.

The New York Times

He paced as he talked to her.

The New Yorker

As he talked he checked the mirror for Mallon's response.

The New Yorker

He fingered a picture of his son as he talked.

The New York Times

As he talked, explosions echoed in the distance.

The New York Times

As he talked, he had his back to the picture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using alternatives like "while he spoke" or "during his speech" to avoid repetition and maintain reader interest.

Common error

Avoid using "as he talked" when the action described isn't directly related to or happening simultaneously with the speech. Ensure there's a clear temporal connection between the talking and the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he talked" functions as a temporal adverbial clause, indicating that an action occurred simultaneously with someone's speech. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as he talked" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate concurrent actions during speech. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase serves to provide context and immediacy. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various settings, predominantly in news and media, as validated by the numerous examples extracted from reliable sources. By considering alternative phrases and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "as he talked" to enhance their narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while he was speaking

Replaces "as" with "while", emphasizing the duration of the speech.

while giving his speech

Similar to 'while he was speaking' but emphasizes the act of giving a speech.

whilst he spoke

Uses the British English "whilst" and the past tense "spoke".

as he was conversing

Uses the more formal "conversing" instead of "talking".

as he articulated

Uses "articulated", suggesting a clear and expressive manner of speaking.

during his speech

Focuses on the period of the speech, implying simultaneous actions.

as he delivered his address

More formal, suitable for speeches or presentations.

in the course of his talk

Highlights that actions occurred within the timeframe of his talk.

during his discourse

Employs the more academic term "discourse" for speech.

simultaneous with his speaking

More formal and emphasizes the synchronicity of the actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "as he talked" to describe actions or events that occurred simultaneously with someone speaking. For instance, "As he talked, he gestured emphatically to emphasize his points."

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

Alternatives include "while he spoke", "during his speech", or "as he was conversing", depending on the specific context and level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "as he talked" or "while he was talking"?

Both "as he talked" and "while he was talking" are grammatically correct and can often be used interchangeably. The choice depends on stylistic preference; "as he talked" may sound slightly more concise.

What's the difference between "as he talked" and "as he explained"?

"As he talked" is a general phrase indicating speech, while "as he explained" suggests the speech involved providing clarification or details. The latter is more specific about the content of the speech.