while in conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while in conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening simultaneously during a discussion or dialogue. Example: "She often interrupts while in conversation, making it difficult for others to express their thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They were then handed over to a teenager and then, step by step, to other interpreters of increasing age – until you reached the top of the building, all the while in conversation.

The Guardian - Arts

They must stand at a reverential distance while in conversation.

The New York Times

The Queen made her comments while in conversation with a churchgoer outside Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire, where the Royal Family worship while they are in residence at nearby Balmoral Castle.

Independent

As Samuel sums it up while in conversation with one of the lovely young prostitutes of the play's title, he lives with the "double difficulty — this 'life' thing — entering this 'difficult' word thing".

The New York Times

While in conversation with a white woman, Paris asks, "Why you gonna trust me?," then wonders if their mutual incomprehension stems from "the question or the articulation of black English versus her own Europeanized English".

The New York Times - Books

One afternoon, I found Hawass in the middle of his office, trouserless, changing his suit while in conversation with Brando Quilici, an independent Italian television producer who has now made four long-term, expensive films with Hawass, for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"I meticulously worked shoulder to shoulder alongside Jews and other Muslims," she said, "all the while engaging in conversation ranging from which brushes to use to the similarities and differences in intellectual discourse amongst our religious communities.

Huffington Post

However, on the other hand, Naurin refers to evidence from Eliasoph (1998: 7) suggesting in the case of activists that while in backroom conversations they tend to express themselves with reference to justice and common good concerns, shifting to a front stage context also increases their use of self-regarding arguments.

SEP

For a while, I was in conversation with a minister of a small evangelical congregation who was trying to find a way to keep his church's theology while also welcoming gays and lesbians into the pews.

Huffington Post

While immersed in conversation, Mr. Crockman suddenly cocked his head, reached over and turned up one scanner.

The New York Times

Now camera stays in the same perspective used during combat and exploration, and players are free to look around while engaging in conversation.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while in conversation" to clearly indicate that an action or observation occurred simultaneously with a discussion. This helps to establish a clear temporal relationship between events.

Common error

Avoid using "while in conversation" if the action is not directly related to the conversation itself. For example, don't say "He checked his phone while in conversation" if the conversation didn't prompt the phone check; instead, use a separate sentence to describe the actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while in conversation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the time or circumstance in which the action occurs. It specifies that something happens concurrently with a conversation. Ludwig AI confirms the general correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while in conversation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote actions occurring simultaneously with a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is versatile, appearing across various contexts from news and media to scientific articles. When employing this phrase, ensure the action described is directly related to the conversation for clarity. Consider alternatives like "during the conversation" or "in the course of the conversation" for stylistic variation. Be sure that all of the elements of the sentences are properly joined and that the sentence as a whole makes complete sense. By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate "while in conversation" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the course of the conversation

Emphasizes that something happens as part of the natural flow of conversation.

during the conversation

Focuses on the time frame of the conversation, omitting the simultaneous nature.

during their discussion

Similar to "during the conversation" but emphasizes the formal nature of a "discussion".

whilst conversing

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for "while" and "in conversation."

while engaged in dialogue

Replaces conversation with 'dialogue', which is a more formal term.

while they talked

Simplified version, omitting "in conversation" for brevity.

in the midst of a conversation

Highlights being surrounded by or actively engaged in conversation.

as they were talking

Specifies the act of talking, changing the focus from the state of conversation.

as the conversation unfolded

Focuses on the progression of the conversation.

during an exchange

Uses a more general term, "exchange", to refer to the conversation.

FAQs

How do I properly use "while in conversation" in a sentence?

Use "while in conversation" to describe an action or state that occurs concurrently with a discussion. For example, "She made insightful points "while in conversation" with the panel."

What are some alternatives to saying "while in conversation"?

Alternatives include "during the conversation", "as they were talking", or "in the course of the conversation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to use "while in conversation" or "during the conversation"?

"In the course of the conversation" tends to be more formal. "While in conversation" and "during the conversation" are both suitable for most contexts, but the first one put more emphasis on simultaneity of events.

Can I use "while in conversation" to describe internal thoughts?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "while in conversation" to describe observable actions or statements. To describe internal thoughts, you might rephrase to something like, "Even as they spoke, he wondered…" or "during the conversation, he realised he had to change his tactics".