as she spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as she spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring simultaneously with someone speaking, often to provide context or detail about the situation. Example: "As she spoke, her hands gestured animatedly, emphasizing her points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Kurosu fingered her earrings as she spoke.

The New York Times - Sports

As she spoke, Fellowes ate contentedly.

The New York Times - Magazine

As she spoke, Gursky began to weep.

The New Yorker

The archbishop took notes as she spoke.

The New York Times

Don't ban Buckie!" as she spoke.

The New York Times

She waved her hands as she spoke.

The New Yorker

Ovitz hovered around Mellon as she spoke.

The New Yorker

It was raining as she spoke.

The New York Times

As she spoke, her partner listened, nodding.

The New York Times

As she spoke, a moody crowd grew.

The Guardian

As she spoke, her blue eyes sparkled.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as she spoke" to seamlessly integrate actions or observations that occur simultaneously with someone's speech, providing context and enhancing the narrative flow.

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses inappropriately within the same sentence when using "as she spoke". Ensure that the surrounding verbs maintain a consistent tense to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as she spoke" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating that two events—her speaking and another action or occurrence—happened simultaneously. Ludwig examples show it linking speech to gestures, environmental changes, and emotional reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as she spoke" is a versatile phrase functioning as an adverbial clause to connect speech with simultaneous actions or occurrences. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, from formal reporting to casual storytelling. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "while she was talking" or "during her speech", "as she spoke" provides a seamless way to enhance narrative flow and create vivid descriptions. By avoiding tense inconsistencies and integrating concurrent details effectively, writers can harness the full potential of this common yet powerful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while she was talking

Emphasizes the continuous nature of her speech.

at the same time she spoke

Directly indicates that two events occurred concurrently.

during her speech

Focuses on the period when she was giving a formal speech.

while giving her speech

Focuses on the period when she was giving a speech.

while she addressed the audience

Highlights a more formal setting and her act of addressing an audience.

as she delivered her remarks

Indicates a formal or prepared statement being made.

in the course of her conversation

Suggests a more casual and informal discussion.

simultaneous to her speaking

A more formal and less common way to express the simultaneity of actions.

as her words were uttered

Emphasizes the act of uttering words.

with her saying that

A simple substitution to express concomitance.

FAQs

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

Use "as she spoke" to describe something happening at the same time someone is talking. For example, "As she spoke, her hands gestured to emphasize her point."

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

You can use alternatives like "while she was talking", "during her speech", or "at the same time she spoke" depending on the context.

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

While "as she spoke" refers to something happening in the past, "as she speaks" is used when describing something happening in the present. Choose the tense based on the timing of the action you are describing.

What's the difference between "as she spoke" and "while she was speaking"?

Both phrases indicate simultaneous actions, but "as she spoke" is often used to connect a specific action with her speech, while "while she was speaking" puts more emphasis on the duration or continuous nature of the speaking itself.