they were speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action of communication in the past. Example: "As the meeting progressed, they were speaking about the new project developments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They were speaking Aramaic".

The New York Times

They were speaking about kidney function.

The New Yorker

But at least they were speaking out.

The New Yorker

They were speaking a lot.

The Guardian - Sport

They were speaking to the world outside.

The New Yorker

"They were speaking Arabic and Persian".

The Guardian

They were speaking in the present tense.

The New York Times

Often it sounded as if they were speaking in tongues.

Independent

I tried to eavesdrop, but they were speaking German.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But they were spoken more than a decade ago.

The Guardian

The recollections that follow are repeated as they were spoken.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were speaking" to describe an ongoing action in the past, especially when emphasizing the duration or continuity of the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "they spoke" when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the conversation. "They spoke" implies a completed action, while "they were speaking" highlights that the act of speaking was in progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were speaking" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. This indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were speaking" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe an ongoing action of communication in the past. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources, mainly in the News & Media category. While alternative phrases like "they spoke" or "they were talking" exist, each carries slightly different nuances regarding formality and emphasis on the action's duration. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the continuous nature of the conversation you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they spoke

Uses the simple past tense instead of the past continuous, indicating a completed action of speaking.

they talked

A more informal synonym for speaking, suggesting a less formal conversation.

they conversed

A more formal synonym for speaking, implying a structured or meaningful exchange.

they were chatting

Suggests a casual and informal conversation.

they were discussing

Indicates a more in-depth conversation about a specific topic.

they communicated

A broader term indicating any form of conveying information, not necessarily verbal.

they had a conversation

Emphasizes the occurrence of a conversational event.

they were addressing

Implies speaking to a group or dealing with a specific issue.

they were lecturing

Suggests a one-sided, instructional form of speaking.

they were announcing

Indicates the act of making something known publicly or officially.

FAQs

What's the difference between "they were speaking" and "they spoke"?

"They spoke" indicates a completed action of speaking, whereas "they were speaking" implies an ongoing action in the past. The latter emphasizes the duration or continuity of the conversation.

Can I use "they were talking" instead of "they were speaking"?

Yes, "they were talking" is often a suitable alternative to "they were speaking", especially in informal contexts. "Speaking" can sometimes imply a more formal or structured conversation.

How to use "they were speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "they were speaking" to describe a past action that was in progress. For example: "As the meeting progressed, they were speaking about the new project developments."

What can I say instead of "they were speaking" to imply a more formal conversation?

You could use alternatives like "they were conversing" or "they were discussing", which suggest a more structured or meaningful exchange.