as she speaks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as she 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 speech. Example: "As she speaks, the audience hangs on her every word, captivated by her story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chelsea smiles as she speaks slowly, methodically turning her gaze from one side of the audience to the other.

The Washington Post

She seems like she is holding back tears as she speaks about these events.

The Guardian

She is almost doubled up as she speaks, an intense knot.

Independent

Although she is 18 years old, she still has childish behaviour which is evident as she speaks.

BMJ Open

She fidgets almost constantly as she speaks, twirling her hair, touching her ear, jiggling her knee.

The New York Times - Magazine

She shakes it as she speaks.

Independent

She slaps the table as she speaks.

The Guardian

She looks past me as she speaks.

The Guardian - Books

She lowers her voice as she speaks.

The Guardian

Her voice cracks even as she speaks.

The Guardian

Mrs. Paris, stares ahead as she speaks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as she speaks" to create a sense of immediacy and connection between a person's words and their actions or emotions. For example, "As she speaks about her childhood, her eyes begin to water."

Common error

Avoid using "as she speaks" redundantly when the context already makes it clear that the actions are happening during speech. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as she speaks" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating that the action in the main clause occurs simultaneously with the act of speaking. Ludwig AI examples showcase its role in connecting speech with concurrent actions or emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as she speaks" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate simultaneity between speech and action. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase functions as an adverbial clause of time, emphasizing the immediacy of events occurring alongside speech. While versatile, writers should avoid redundant usage. Related phrases like "while she's talking" offer less formal alternatives. In conclusion, "as she speaks" is a useful tool for creating vivid and engaging descriptions, suitable for a range of registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while she's talking

Replaces "speaks" with the more informal "talking", changing the tone slightly.

during her speech

Focuses on the entire duration of the speech rather than the specific moment of speaking.

as she delivers her address

More formal, using "address" to imply a formal speech and "delivers" to emphasize the act of giving the speech.

while giving her presentation

Specifies the type of speech event as a "presentation".

as she articulates

Replaces "speaks" with "articulates", emphasizing clarity and precision in speech.

simultaneously with her words

Emphasizes the timing of the action happening at the same time as the spoken words.

concurrently with her narration

More formal and emphasizes a storytelling context.

in conjunction with her speaking

More formal and complex phrasing.

at the moment of her utterance

Highlights a specific, singular instance of speaking.

as her voice rings out

Focuses on the sound and projection of her voice.

FAQs

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

Use "as she speaks" to describe actions, emotions, or events that occur simultaneously with someone's speech. For example, "As she speaks, the audience listens intently".

What are some alternatives to "as she speaks"?

Alternatives include phrases like "while she's talking", "during her speech", or "while giving her presentation", depending on the context.

Which is more formal, "as she speaks" or "while she's talking"?

"As she speaks" is generally considered more formal than "while she's talking". The latter is more conversational.

What is the difference between "as she speaks" and "as she spoke"?

"As she speaks" refers to the present tense, indicating something happening now. "As she spoke" refers to the past tense, describing something that happened in the past. For example, "As she speaks, she gestures emphatically" versus "As she spoke, she gestured emphatically".