while speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"while speaking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone was speaking during a certain action. For example, "He continued to sign the documents while speaking to his lawyer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tsuboi stamped his cane emphatically while speaking.

The Guardian

The people requested anonymity while speaking about private deliberations.

The New York Times

Don't touch your pinky fingers together while speaking.

The New Yorker

He cried while speaking to the judge before his sentencing.

The New York Times - Tech

2.25pm: Brown's been heckled while speaking in Sunderland.

The Guardian

Mr. Lieberman looks squarely into the camera while speaking.

The New York Times

While speaking on Saturday at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, he responded to Senator McCain.

Independent

The same is true for low pitched female voices which tend to fall while speaking.

The Guardian

Conservative policies, while speaking the language of individualism, primarily benefit corporations.

The New York Times

Maids and male servants traditionally sat on the floor while speaking to their employers.

The New York Times

British lawmakers are protected from libel lawsuits while speaking in Parliament.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while speaking" to clearly indicate simultaneous actions, adding context and depth to your descriptions. For instance, "He gestured emphatically "while speaking", reinforcing his point."

Common error

Avoid using "while speaking" with verbs that already imply speech. For example, instead of "He explained while speaking", simply say "He explained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurs. It adds a temporal element, specifying that the action takes place concurrently with the act of speaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while speaking" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote simultaneous actions. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing make it a valuable tool for effective communication. Remember to avoid redundancy and use it to add depth to your descriptions. Mastering its usage will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whilst talking

A more formal or British English variant of "while speaking".

as one speaks

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of speaking and the simultaneous occurrence of another action.

while conversing

Similar to "while talking" but implies a slightly more formal conversation.

during speech

Focuses specifically on the period of time when someone is giving a formal speech.

in the process of speaking

Highlights the active process of speaking and an event occurring within that process.

during conversation

Emphasizes a casual exchange of ideas while something else happens.

when addressing

Specifically used when someone is formally addressing an audience.

in mid-sentence

Indicates an interruption or event occurring in the middle of a spoken sentence.

as voicing opinions

Highlights the expression of opinions concurrently with an action.

as uttering words

Focuses on the act of uttering words and implies a careful or deliberate manner of speaking.

FAQs

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

Use "while speaking" to indicate that an action or state is happening at the same time someone is talking. Example: "She took notes "while speaking" on the phone."

What are some alternatives to "while speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "during speech", "as one speaks", or "whilst talking" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "while speaking" and "when speaking"?

"While speaking" emphasizes the simultaneous nature of two actions. "When speaking" could refer to a specific instance or condition related to speaking, but "while speaking" is better to describe two concurrent actions.

What's a more formal way to say "while speaking"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "whilst talking" or "during speech" in appropriate contexts.