as we were talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we were talking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation or discussion that is currently happening or has just occurred. Example: "As we were talking about the project, I realized we needed to adjust our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

As we were talking, he confessed to a deep puzzlement.

The New Yorker

As we were talking, another customer overheard the word "Honeycrisp".

The New Yorker

"Just as we were talking about social media, I suddenly thought 'I've got it!

The Guardian - Music

But, as we were talking, bursts of laughter kept interrupting us from another table.

The New Yorker

As we were talking, a jeep drew up and three officers inside began watching us.

The New Yorker

He came home as we were talking, a slim, handsome young man, accompanied by his girlfriend.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Woop — as we're talking about seedy".

The New Yorker

"As we are talking, she hears us," he said.

The New York Times

"As long as we're talking about jobs, it's a positive thing," Mr. Kingston said.

The New York Times

"My mum is my best friend," she reflects at one point as we are talking.

Independent

I have to be careful here as we are talking about integrity".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing "as we were talking" at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence for emphasis or flow.

Common error

Don't overuse the phrase in close succession. If you've already established the conversational context, avoid repeating the phrase unnecessarily; instead, focus on the content of the conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we were talking" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something occurred. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is commonly used to provide context or set the scene for an event that happened during a conversation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as we were talking" functions as an adverbial clause of time, effectively setting the scene for events occurring during a conversation. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media contexts. While versatile, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various settings. To enhance writing, avoid redundant use and consider sentence structure variation. Alternatives like "during our conversation" offer formal substitutes. By following these guidelines, writers can confidently incorporate "as we were talking" in their texts to provide context and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during our conversation

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise and formal alternative.

while we conversed

Uses a more formal verb ("conversed") to replace "were talking".

in the course of our discussion

Emphasizes the discussion aspect and provides a more formal tone.

as the conversation unfolded

Highlights the development of the conversation, adding a narrative feel.

during our chat

Offers a more informal alternative, replacing "conversation" with "chat".

whilst in conversation

A slightly more archaic form, replacing "as" with "whilst".

in the midst of our talk

Emphasizes that something happened in the middle of the conversation.

while we were in discussion

Replaces "talking" with the more formal "in discussion".

as we chatted

Uses a simpler verb ("chatted") for a more casual tone.

during our exchange

Focuses on the exchange of ideas during the conversation.

FAQs

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

Use "as we were talking" to introduce an event, realization, or observation that occurred during a conversation. For example, "As we were talking about the budget, we realized we needed to make some adjustments".

What phrases are similar to "as we were talking"?

Alternatives include "during our conversation", "while we conversed", or "in the course of our discussion", depending on the formality of the context.

Is "as we were talking" formal or informal?

"As we were talking" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "during our conversation" may be preferable in highly formal settings.

Can I start a sentence with "as we were talking"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "as we were talking" is grammatically correct and effective for setting the scene. For example, "As we were talking, a new idea came to mind".