How many ways can 'while' be used in?

Question

I've had an argument with my sister a minute on how many ways while can be used. I was telling her that it can be used in a sentence like this
He was eating the cake while the other guy was making it for him
and to that my sister said that while can be used only in cases where the contrary to something happens like in the case below
He was cutting the grass while the other one was growing it

Which one is (or are both) grammatically correct and why?

Thank you.

BillJ · Accepted Answer

You are right, and your sister is half-right! Both your examples are grammatically correct.

"While" can have either a 'temporal duration' meaning, or a 'contrastive' one:

"They insisted on talking while I was trying to do my homework". (temporal duration)
"While I don't agree with you, I accept your right to say it". (contrast)

Your "cake" example is fine; it's another example of "while's" temporal duration meaning.
Your sister's "grass" example is also OK; its meaning could be either contrastive or temporal depending on the context.

BillJ

How many ways can 'while' be used in?

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