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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

First

Hi,

Is it correct to use while instead of when in the sentence? Could you please explain why if "while" isn't fine here?

While/When we first lived here there were no buses.

Thanks!
  

Top answer

Hi, Is it correct to use while instead of when in the sentence? Both are OK. Native speakers are often pretty casual about interchanging 'when' and 'while'.

— Clive

  • Hi, Is it correct to use while instead of when in the sentence?
  • Both are OK.
  • Native speakers are often pretty casual about interchanging 'when' and 'while'.
  • 'While' suggests a bit more that we lived there for an extended period.
  • Could you please explain why if "while" isn't fine here?
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6 Answers
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Hi,

Is it correct to use while instead of when in the sentence? Both are OK. Native speakers are often pretty casual about interchanging 'when' and 'while'.

'While' suggests a bit more that we lived there for an extended period.

Could you please explain why if "while" isn't fine here?

While/When we first lived here there were no buses.

Clive
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Hi Clive,

Thank you for your help.
Can I use 'as' instead of 'when' or 'while' here?
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Hi,



No. 'As' won't work there.



Clive
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Hi Clive,
Could you tell me if 'while' works in the sentence below?

While/When Rick first started dating Sally, he would often bring her gifts.

Thanks.
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Hi,

Could you tell me if 'while' works in the sentence below?

While/When Rick first started dating Sally, he would often bring her gifts.

No, because the idea is that he started at a particular point in time.



That's why we say 'When the truck hit hm,he was killed'

and not 'While the truck hit him, he was killed'.


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I see! Thanks, Clive.
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