while she was speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while she was speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred simultaneously with her act of speaking. Example: "While she was speaking, the audience listened intently to her every word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In July, a member of the public threw a banana at her while she was speaking at a political rally in central Italy.

Independent

While she was speaking, I noticed that the audience consisted of a large number of Japanese women, who had come in from neighbouring offices to see her.

The Guardian

During a military raid, one plaintiff, Karalolo Kogbara, was shot by Nigerian troops while she was speaking out against the destruction of crops bulldozed to build a pipeline.

The New York Times

She had not wanted to hand it to Carla right away, she had wanted the moment to come more naturally, and while she was speaking she had thought ahead to the moment when she could mention the sea, going swimming.

The New York Times - Books

In January, 2017, a veteran Tory backbencher, Sir Nicholas Soames, was called out by a Scottish National Party M.P., Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, for woofing at her while she was speaking in the Commons.

The New Yorker

Isn't that so? " While she was speaking, she was with her voice, her eyes, and with each word opening in Hannah those all but forgotten hours, almost thirty years past, during which the cross of living had first nakedly borne in upon her being, and she had made the first beginnings of learning how to endure and accept it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

At the other end of the spectrum, if the husband is a little bit negative – such as interrupting her while she is speaking – he will have a fixed and negative impact on his partner.

The Guardian

One picture of this is worth far more than the usual thousand words: the leader of the opposition can often be seen facing his own side of the chamber with his back to the prime minister, even while she is speaking.

The Economist

Don't interrupt her while she is speaking, and wait until she is done to respond.

WikiHow

If you want to get to know a girl better, practice making better eye contact while you're speaking and while she's speaking.

WikiHow

If he or she is young and energetic, have his or her head move quickly and shake while he or she is speaking.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while she was speaking" to clearly indicate that an action or event occurred simultaneously with someone's act of speaking, enhancing clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses unexpectedly. If you start a sentence using "while she was speaking" (past continuous), ensure the main clause also reflects the past, maintaining a consistent narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while she was speaking" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause. It connects this clause to an independent clause, indicating that two actions or events occurred simultaneously. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while she was speaking" is a versatile phrase used to indicate simultaneous events. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across different contexts, particularly in News & Media. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives such as "as she talked" or "during her speech". When using the phrase, ensure tense consistency to maintain clarity. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings, solidifying its utility in everyday writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as she talked

Uses a different verb and conjunction to convey simultaneous action.

during her speech

Replaces the clause with a prepositional phrase, focusing on the event.

as she gave her address

More formal, specifying the type of speaking engagement.

whilst she spoke

Uses a more formal and less common conjunction.

while she delivered her remarks

More formal, replacing 'speaking' with 'delivered her remarks'.

as she articulated her views

Focuses on the content and act of expressing opinions.

during the time she was speaking

Adds redundancy for emphasis.

concurrent with her speech

More formal and technical, emphasizing simultaneity.

at the same time that she was speaking

More verbose, emphasizing simultaneity.

in the course of her presentation

Focuses on the formal aspect of a presentation.

FAQs

How can I use "while she was speaking" in a sentence?

The phrase "while she was speaking" introduces a clause that describes something happening at the same time someone is giving a speech or talking. For example, "While she was speaking, the audience listened intently".

What can I say instead of "while she was speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "as she talked", "during her speech", or "whilst she spoke" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "while she was speaking" or "as she spoke"?

"As she spoke" is generally considered slightly more concise and can fit seamlessly into both formal and informal contexts. "While she was speaking" is also acceptable, but it's a bit more descriptive and can sometimes add emphasis to the simultaneous nature of the events.

Can I use "during her speech" instead of "while she was speaking"?

Yes, "during her speech" is a valid alternative, particularly when you want to emphasize the event itself rather than the action of speaking. For example, "The protest occurred during her speech" is similar in meaning to "The protest occurred while she was speaking".