while we were talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while we were talking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred simultaneously with a conversation or discussion. Example: "While we were talking, I realized that we had a lot in common."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

While we were talking, a dark-eyed man walked in.

The New Yorker

I think he died while we were talking to him".

The New York Times

"She fell asleep while we were talking to him," recalls Colin.

The Guardian

While we were talking, half a dozen young men appeared in the mosque with a complaint.

The New Yorker

While we were talking, more than twenty plainclothes police suddenly moved in.

The New Yorker

While we were talking, one of us dropped a dime on the floor.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

While we're talking about titans and strategy, pick up "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.

The New York Times

"While we're talking I been texting three niggas at once". Ouch.

The Guardian - Music

While we're talking about VAT, what's the deal on Jaffa Cakes?

The Guardian - Money

Tyla [Ms. Hamilton's assistant] is back here Googling while we're talking, and she's like, "Oh, look".

The New York Times - Travel

"While we're talking I been texting three niggas at once".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while we were talking" to smoothly integrate an incidental event or observation into a narrative, adding a sense of realism and immediacy. For example: "While we were talking, a bird flew into the window".

Common error

Avoid using "while we were talking" to introduce the main point of a sentence, as it can dilute the impact. Reframe the sentence to give prominence to the key information: Instead of "While we were talking, I discovered a crucial piece of evidence", try "I discovered a crucial piece of evidence during our conversation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while we were talking" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause of a sentence. It indicates that the action in the main clause occurred simultaneously with the conversation. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while we were talking" functions as an adverbial clause, providing temporal context to events described in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent usage in news and media. To effectively employ this phrase, use it to integrate incidental details seamlessly into a narrative, creating immediacy. However, avoid using it to introduce the main point of a sentence, as it can dilute impact. With its versatile register, "while we were talking" serves as a valuable tool for clear and engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we were conversing

Uses a more formal verb ('conversing') than 'talking'.

as we spoke

A more concise and slightly more formal alternative.

during our discussion

Replaces the 'while' clause with a prepositional phrase.

in the midst of our conversation

Adds emphasis to the ongoing nature of the conversation.

during the time we were talking

More verbose, emphasizing the duration.

as the conversation progressed

Focuses on the development of the conversation.

while in conversation

A more concise and slightly less common phrasing.

whilst we were chatting

Uses 'whilst' and 'chatting', making it slightly more informal.

in the course of our talk

Replaces 'conversation' with 'talk', making it slightly less formal.

as we had a discussion

Uses a slightly different grammatical structure.

FAQs

How can I use "while we were talking" in a sentence?

Use "while we were talking" to describe something that happened during a conversation. For example: "While we were talking, the phone rang".

What can I say instead of "while we were talking"?

You can use alternatives like "as we spoke", "during our conversation", or "in the middle of our chat depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "while we were talking"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "while we were talking". It introduces an adverbial clause, setting the scene or providing context for the main clause.

What's the difference between "while we were talking" and "during our conversation"?

"While we were talking" emphasizes the simultaneous occurrence of two events, whereas "during our conversation" focuses more on the period of time the conversation lasted.