as they spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred simultaneously with a conversation or dialogue. Example: "As they spoke, the tension in the room grew palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Their guard, a Muslim, nodded sympathetically as they spoke.

The New Yorker

As soon as they spoke, the spell would be broken.

Independent

But as they spoke, their eyes discreetly scanned the room.

The New York Times

Their hands shook and their eyes teared as they spoke.

The New York Times

Crickets chirped in the background as they spoke in Arabic.

The New York Times

As they spoke, the future scooted past them.

The New York Times

As they spoke, a dog who was lying there lifted his headand pricked up his ears.

The New Yorker

One customer affectionately clutched Ms. Anderson by the wrist as they spoke.

The New York Times

At the funeral, religious leaders wept as they spoke of the dead.

The New York Times

As they spoke, the officers and their families exited the courtroom.

The New York Times

As they spoke, a plainclothes policeman jumped up and shouted, "Allahu Akbar!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they spoke" to clearly indicate that an action or event occurred at the same time that people were talking, creating a sense of simultaneity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "as they spoke". If the main clause is in the past tense, ensure the action described happening concurrently is also in the past tense to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they spoke" functions as a temporal conjunction, linking an action or event to the period when someone was speaking. This is a common way to indicate simultaneity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they spoke" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something happened simultaneously with speech. According to Ludwig AI, it is fit for use in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, lending a neutral tone to narratives. Consider context when choosing alternative phrasing, and remember to maintain consistent tense. Ludwig examples display the phrase's wide-ranging applicability across diverse written materials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while they were talking

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the talking, slightly more descriptive.

during their conversation

Emphasizes the conversational aspect and the period in which it occurred.

as they were conversing

Uses a more formal verb (conversing) to indicate the act of speaking.

whilst they talked

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative to "while they talked".

in the course of their discussion

Highlights the 'discussion' element and the timeline during which it took place.

as they communicated

Emphasizes the act of communicating, implying a broader exchange of information.

during their exchange

Focuses on the interchange between the speakers, rather than just the speaking.

simultaneous to their speech

More academic, emphasizing timing.

at the moment of their discourse

More literary/formal and focuses specifically on the moment of speaking.

concurrently with their utterance

Very formal and technical, suitable for academic or legal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "as they spoke" to show that two actions were happening at the same time, specifically that someone was speaking while something else occurred. For example, "As they spoke, the rain began to fall".

What are some alternatives to "as they spoke"?

You can use alternatives like "while they were talking", "during their conversation", or "as they were conversing" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "as they speak" instead of "as they spoke"?

The correct form depends on the tense of the rest of the sentence. "As they speak" is present tense, while "as they spoke" is past tense. Use "as they spoke" if you're describing something that happened in the past. For example: "As they spoke, the lights went out."

What's the difference between "as they spoke" and "but as they spoke"?

"As they spoke" simply indicates simultaneity. "But as they spoke" introduces a contrast or unexpected element. For example, "They seemed confident, but as they spoke, their nervousness became apparent".