as we were saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we were saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a previous point or discussion that was made earlier in the conversation or text. Example: "As we were saying, the importance of teamwork cannot be overstated in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

As we were saying.

The New Yorker

So, as we were saying, there is no subtext.

The Guardian - Film

The other class of pleasures, which as we were saying is purely mental, is entirely derived from memory.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is, as we were saying, one proofed against sanction or indictment.

Independent

As we were saying goodbye, he mentioned that some people end up walking a half marathon during the workday.

The New Yorker

As we were saying goodbye, Joana handed him a copy of his "Complete Works" and asked him to sign it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Not one of their players even claimed the penalty, so they were as surprised as we were," said Houllier.

The Guardian - Sport

We didn't know were going to be as inaccurate as we were," said O'Connell.

BBC

"Are you a fan of mine?" she asks suddenly, as we're saying goodbye.

The Guardian - Music

What I do recall is Jared's delight upon spying a FedEx envelope at his front door as we are saying goodbye.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

But at the end you have your family, your needs, your things … (respondent 6 – physician – male – Belgium) … Of course there are some factors surrounding the career, as we are saying … Nobody is saying, I'm leaving because of economic things.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your discourse markers. While "as we were saying" is useful, employing alternatives like "returning to the previous topic" or "to reiterate" can enhance readability and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid starting a completely new conversation with "as we were saying". It's designed to resume an interrupted discussion, not to initiate one. Ensure there's a clear prior context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we were saying" functions as a discourse marker. It signals a return to a previously discussed topic after an interruption or digression. Ludwig shows its common use in resuming conversations or arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as we were saying" serves as a common and effective discourse marker to bring conversations or texts back to a previous point after an interruption. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to use it appropriately—ensuring a prior topic exists. Alternatives like "returning to the previous topic" or "to reiterate" can offer variety. The key takeaway is to use "as we were saying" mindfully, ensuring it smoothly guides your audience back to the intended subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning to the previous topic

This phrase explicitly states the act of going back to the subject at hand.

as i mentioned before

This alternative highlights the speaker's prior statement.

to reiterate my previous point

Focuses on restating a previously made argument or idea.

getting back to what we discussed

This option frames it as a return to a shared discussion.

resuming our discussion

Implies a continuation of an ongoing conversation.

where were we

This option is a more direct and conversational way to prompt a return to the previous point.

let's pick up where we left off

Suggests a seamless transition back to the interrupted subject.

to continue our train of thought

Emphasizes the flow of ideas and the resumption thereof.

as i was explaining earlier

Directly references a prior explanation given by the speaker.

if i may continue

A polite way of steering the conversation back to the speaker's previous point.

FAQs

How can I use "as we were saying" in a sentence?

Use "as we were saying" to smoothly return to a previous point in a conversation or text after an interruption or digression. For example, "The budget is tight this year. As we were saying, every department needs to cut costs."

What are some alternatives to "as we were saying"?

You can use alternatives like "returning to the previous topic", "as I mentioned before", or "to reiterate my previous point" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "as we were saying" in formal writing?

While "as we were saying" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using a more formal alternative like "to continue our discussion" or "to reiterate".

When should I avoid using "as we were saying"?

Avoid using "as we were saying" if you are starting a new topic or conversation, as it implies a continuation from a previous point. In such cases, start directly with the new topic without any introductory phrases.