while speaking with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while speaking with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening concurrently during a conversation or discussion with someone. Example: "I realized, while speaking with my colleague, that we had a lot in common."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

While speaking with the agents in his front yard, Mr. Martoma fainted.

The New York Times

He wore a heavy wrap on his hand while speaking with reporters Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

While speaking with Nuggets players on Tuesday, he wore a belt buckle bearing his nickname, Sugar.

The New York Times - Sports

Wright wore a heavy wrap on his right hand and while speaking with reporters before Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

The New York Times

If you notice your colleagues avoid eye contact while speaking with you, those are probably the reasons.

Independent

Harrington himself seemed to also confirm the statement while speaking with Entertainment Weekly: "I've been told I'm dead.

Independent

Photograph: Thierry Charlier/AP Austria's finance minister Maria Fekter, right, gestures while speaking with Portugal's Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar.

The Guardian - Business

The whole point about Orton, however, is that his characters commit outrageous acts while speaking with Wildean precision.

The Guardian

In a sharp departure from his past attitude after losses, Latrell Sprewell seemed almost giddy while speaking with reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

As usual, Coach Don Chaney sat on a stationary bike while speaking with reporters after today's Knicks practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Afterward, while speaking with members of his staff, Brey explained the reason for Scott's offensive outburst, saying: "I told our coaches, 'He loves that ball.' ".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while speaking with" to indicate an action or realization that occurred during a conversation. For example, "I realized, "while speaking with" my colleague, that we had a lot in common."

Common error

Avoid using "while speaking with" when the conversation is not directly relevant to the statement. Ensure that the context clearly links the conversation to the action or realization being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while speaking with" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating that an action or event occurred concurrently with the act of speaking to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Arts

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while speaking with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial clause, suitable for various contexts ranging from neutral to professional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively provides a temporal reference, indicating that something occurred during a conversation. Though it appears more often in News & Media, its application spans across Formal & Business, Wiki, and Science domains. Remembering the subtle nuances can help in more precise and effective communication. Consider alternatives like "during the conversation with" or "as I talked with" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I was speaking to

Uses "speaking to" instead of "speaking with", a subtle change in preposition.

in conversation with

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the interaction rather than the act of speaking.

during the conversation with

Replaces "while speaking with" with a noun phrase, emphasizing the period of conversation.

during discussions with

Focuses on the "discussions" aspect, suitable when the conversation is more formal or structured.

as I talked with

Uses "talked" instead of "speaking", which is slightly more informal.

while in dialogue with

More formal and emphasizes a back-and-forth exchange.

whilst conversing with

"Whilst" is a more formal alternative to "while".

over a conversation with

Suggests the conversation occurred in a more relaxed setting.

when conferring with

Implies a more official or serious discussion.

in communication with

Broader term indicating any form of communication, not just speaking.

FAQs

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

Use "while speaking with" to indicate that an action or realization occurred during a conversation. For example, "I learned a new fact "while speaking with" the expert."

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

You can use alternatives like "during the conversation with", "in conversation with", or "as I talked with" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "while speaking with" or "while talking to"?

"While speaking with" and "while talking to" are often interchangeable. "Speaking with" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.

What's the difference between "while speaking with" and "during a conversation with"?

"While speaking with" emphasizes the action of speaking, whereas "during a conversation with" emphasizes the conversation as a whole. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.