there was speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there was speaking" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that speaking was occurring, but it is more natural to use a different construction. Example: "In the quiet room, there was speaking, but it was too soft to hear clearly."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

'In Brighton, someone there was speaking about abuse - and I remembered that, when I was 13, I had an operation on my toe.

The Guardian

There was speaking in tongues, laying on of hands, baptism by fire, slaying of the spirit — his first psychedelic experiences, in a way.

The New Yorker

Before the subjects (half of them native German speakers who spoke English very well, half of them native English speakers who spoke German very well) went to sleep in the lab, researchers asked what they were thinking about, if there was speaking or thinking in a language going on and, if so, what language it was.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I am crossing the border because no one there is speaking up for them," he says.

The New York Times

There were spoken word performances, and the R&B singer Jaheim sang a song he had written for Mr. Shabazz.

The New York Times

There are spoken segments, garage-rock and pretty acoustic passages, too, but his default setting is intimate and minimal.

The Guardian - Music

There are spoken turn-by-turn directions, and the maps are seeded with listings and reviews from Yelp; touching a symbol on the map opens Yelp's content.

The Economist

As Tebow was speaking, there was more movement, this time to his left.

The New York Times - Sports

There it was, spoken, the reason I should never be hired again.

The New Yorker

He suspected that what was spoken there was a Creole language with very old African elements.

The New York Times - Arts

And there'll be spoken word readings and poetry and interviews and barely decipherable murmuring.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "there was talking" or "someone was speaking" for clarity and naturalness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "there was speaking" when a more active construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, prefer "the speaker discussed" over "there was speaking about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was speaking" functions as an existential construction, indicating the presence or occurrence of the action of speaking. However, Ludwig indicates this phrasing may be unusual.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there was speaking" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon way to indicate that speaking or conversation occurred. Ludwig analysis points out that more common alternatives like "there was talking" or "someone was speaking" often provide clearer and more natural phrasing. While it appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, its infrequency suggests careful consideration of alternative expressions for improved clarity and impact. The provided examples showcase its use in recalling specific instances where speech was a notable element, despite Ludwig suggesting it could sound unusual. When in doubt, opt for a more direct and active construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was talking

Replaces "speaking" with the more common and general term "talking".

there was conversation

Similar to "talking" but implies a more reciprocal exchange.

someone was speaking

Emphasizes the individual who was speaking rather than the act itself.

there was a discussion

Indicates a more formal and structured conversation.

somebody gave a talk

Informal term indicating a presentation or lecture.

speaking occurred

More formal and less common phrasing.

words were spoken

Focuses on the words themselves rather than the act of speaking.

there was an address

Implies a more formal and public speech.

a speech was given

Similar to "there was an address" but emphasizes the act of giving the speech.

there was oration

Very formal, suggesting a polished and elaborate speech.

FAQs

What does "there was speaking" mean?

The phrase "there was speaking" indicates that someone was in the act of speaking or a conversation was happening, though it's not the most common way to express this. Consider alternatives like "there was talking" or "someone was speaking".

Is "there was speaking" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "there was speaking" is less common and can sound awkward. It's better to use more natural phrasing. Ludwig AI suggests it could sound unusual.

What are some alternatives to "there was speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "there was talking", "someone was speaking", or "there was a discussion", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "there was speaking"?

It's generally better to use more common alternatives. However, you might use "there was speaking" if you specifically want to emphasize the occurrence of the act of speaking itself, rather than who was speaking or what was being said. Alternatives like "there was talking" will almost always be more appropriate.