while speaking to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while speaking to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening simultaneously with a conversation or dialogue. Example: "While speaking to the audience, the speaker emphasized the importance of community involvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

He made the remark while speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

The Guardian

Still, Philippe P. Dauman, the chief executive of Viacom, added a caveat while speaking to analysts Thursday.

The New York Times

The comments have seemingly offended Shkreli as, while speaking to Hip Hop DX, he dug into the band.

Independent

Growing impassioned while speaking to a reporter on Saturday, Khalil al-Balawi harshly criticized intelligence officials for his son's change.

The New York Times

While speaking to newly elected player representatives last month, Smith characterized the looming confrontation with owners as "war".

The New York Times - Sports

While speaking to hurricane victims in Mississippi, Laura Bush twice mistakenly referred to the storm as: (a) Catalina.

The New Yorker

While speaking to television writers in January, Mr. Sutherland said of the torture sequences: "It's a television show.

The New York Times

But this time, even while speaking to a reporter, Ms. Phillips professed to be shrinking from the spotlight.

The New York Times

Despite the loss, Mr. Santorum sounded defiant Tuesday night while speaking to supporters in Gettysburg, saying he would press on.

The New York Times

Wiretaps later revealed that, while speaking to aides, he compared himself that evening to the disgraced Nixon.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while speaking to", ensure the subject of the sentence remains consistent to avoid confusion. For example, "He fidgeted with his hands while speaking to reporters."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "while speaking to" close to the person who is speaking. Incorrect: "The report was finalized, while speaking to the manager." Correct: "While speaking to the manager, the report was finalized."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while speaking to" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that indicates an action occurring simultaneously with the act of speaking. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing concurrent events during conversations. The phrase connects the action of speaking with another action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while speaking to" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to indicate simultaneous actions or events occurring during a conversation or address. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, especially in news and media contexts. Its function is to provide temporal framing, and its register is generally neutral. Writers should be mindful of proper placement to avoid misplaced modifiers and ensure clarity. Alternative phrases like "as speaking with" or "when talking with" can be used to add variety to your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, "while speaking to" is a dependable and effective choice for describing concurrent events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when talking with

Focuses on the timing of the conversation, implying it happens during another event.

while communicating with

Highlights the act of exchanging information with someone.

in conversation with

Emphasizes the act of being engaged in a dialogue.

when in conversation with

Focuses on the timing of when the dialogue happens.

as speaking with

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of conversing.

in dialogue with

Implies a more structured and reciprocal exchange of ideas.

as conversing with

A more elegant and formal way to describe a conversation.

during the discussion with

Highlights a more formal discussion rather than a casual conversation.

while addressing to

It's a more formal and structured approach to speak.

addressing

More formal and suited for addressing an audience or a group.

FAQs

How to use "while speaking to" in a sentence?

Use "while speaking to" to indicate that something happened at the same time someone was talking. For example, "While speaking to the audience, the presenter adjusted the microphone."

What can I say instead of "while speaking to"?

You can use alternatives like "when talking with", "during a conversation with", or "in conversation with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "while speaking to" or "during speaking to"?

"While speaking to" is the correct and more common usage. "During speaking to" is grammatically awkward. It's better to use "during a conversation with" instead.

What's the difference between "while speaking to" and "after speaking to"?

"While speaking to" indicates simultaneous actions, whereas "after speaking to" means something occurred subsequently. For example, "While speaking to reporters, he fidgeted", versus "After speaking to reporters, he released a statement".