speak
verb (used without object)
to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk.
have been speaking
-
present perfect progressiveof speak.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I have stuttered as long as I have been speaking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Antidebt crusaders, like the personal-finance radio host Dave Ramsey, have been speaking for years about how paying thousands of dollars in interest can seriously impede a family’s ability to make progress on their other goals.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026
AFP reporters have been speaking to a range of people living in Iran to build a picture of life under daily US and Israeli bombardment despite an internet blackout and major communication problems.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
I was this Black little boy in Detroit, and George Jessel would come on “The Mike Douglas Show” and he might as well have been speaking Russian.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2025
“You two have been speaking for a long time already,” Ma said; “What were you discussing?”
From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat
