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Hi,I find that a 'while' clause(temporal meaning) can be used with stative verbs, but there are some exceptions.ex)A: I made three phone calls while I was at lunch.(O)B: I lived in New York while I was a child.(X)How do you make a general rule out of this?(I can't find any rules related to this in my grammar books)I would appreciate it if someone could help.  Thanks.

Ivanhr · Accepted Answer

While I'd prefer "when" in the second sentence, I don't see anything wrong with "while".

CalifJim · Answer

jooneyHow do you make a general rule out of this?

Very carefully! If at all.

I'm not sure that there is a general rule, but when the while-clause refers to an entire period of time in a person's life, usually measured in years, we almost always change while to when.

I lived in New York when I was a child.

... when I was in college.

Instead of a period in a person's life, you can have another relatively long period of some kind in the when-clause.

Lucy's father was in his twenties when Truman was president of the United States.

Lucy's father worked at a radio station when Truman was president of the United States.

In cases where two situations are going on at the same time, while tends to be used for shorter periods of time, and when for longer periods.

CJ

Jooney · Answer

CJ, thank you very much for answering my question.  It really helps.  Thanks a million!

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