speak
verb (used without object)
to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk.
were speaking
-
past progressiveof speak.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
They didn’t realize they were speaking with the couple whose home had been violated.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
SpaceX’s underwriters were speaking with prospective investors on Monday, and the offering is expected to price as early as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
On Thursday, police said they were speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of the incident.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
“We were speaking for every librarian out there.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
I would interrupt as people were speaking because I couldn’t wait for them to finish.
From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
