the use of when and while

Question

0According to many dictioanaries, when and while are interchangeable when they are used to refer to something that happens at the same time or during the time that something is happening.  But recently I've been bothered by several exercises.02br02br00a. 01font00While 02font00they were driving along breezily, they passed a farmer on a mule.02br02br00b. 01font00When02font00 the emperor was playing the football, a high fast spinning ball was shot beyond the huge compound.02br02br00c. 01font00While 02font00only a mere eunuch of the humblest rank with no chances of contacting the emperor, he happened to be a superb player of football.02br02br00d. 01font00While02font00 watching the motion picture Titannic, we became tense and held our breath for the fate of  the characters who were in great danger.02br02br00My reference book holds.that the answer should be either when or while. But aren't they interchangeable? Does the reference book tell the correct answers? If it is right, why? Please help me! Thanks a lot!0-

Philip · Accepted Answer

1b01font00The two words are largely (but not 100%) interchangeable. To make it a little easier for my students, I advise them to use 'while' with progressive tenses (or similar situations) and 'when' with simple tenses. Then, when they feel more comfortable with the nuances (usually acquired by living in the language for a period of time), they will have a better feeling for when the two words are not interchangeable.02font02b02br
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01b01font00While it was raining I was reading a book.02font02b02br
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01b01font00While it was raining I fell asleep.02font02b02br
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01b01font00When I woke up this morning it was raining.02font02b02br
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01b01font00When I woke up this morning I fell out of bed.02font02b02br
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01b01font00In your sentence (c), 'while' carries the meaning of 'although' (over a period of time).02font02b02br
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01b01font02font02b0-

Yankee · Answer

0 Hi02br
02br
00The word 01i00while02i00 can refer to time -- just as the word 01i00when02i00 does. When the word 01i00while02i00 refers to time, it is very commonly used with the past continuous. Therefore, 01i00while 02i00is the best choice in a, b and d. However, the word 01i00when02i00 is also possible in a and b. (Using 01i00when02i00 sounds a bit awkward in d because it's not immediately clear which tense is intended.)02br
02br
00The word 01i00while02i00 in sentence c has a different meaning. It does not refer to time at all; in my opinion, it means 01b00although02b00. 02br
02br
00You need to be careful with 01i00while02i00 and 01i00when02i00.02br
00For example:02br
01i00- When he closed the window, I closed the door. 02i02br
00This sounds as if you closed the door 01u00after02u00 he closed the window.02br
01i00- While he closed the window, I closed the door.02i02br
00In this sentence, the window and the door were closed simultaneously.0-

Anonymous · Answer

YankeeHi

The word while can refer to time -- just as the word when does. When the word while refers to time, it is very commonly used with the past continuous. Therefore, while is the best choice in a, b and d. However, the word when is also possible in a and b. (Using when sounds a bit awkward in d because it's not immediately clear which tense is intended.)

The word while in sentence c has a different meaning. It does not refer to time at all; in my opinion, it means although.

You need to be careful with while and when.
For example:
- When he closed the window, I closed the door.
This sounds as if you closed the door after he closed the window.
- While he closed the window, I closed the door.
In this sentence, the window and the door were closed simultaneously.

Hi!

I also have questions with when and while for Past Continous. First of all, are they just "words"? Can I say that are words used as connectors? I mean, when and while are not prepositions, are they?

Is there any special grammar rule for its use in Past Continous? I told my son, as a rule:

1. action verb + ing / when / action verb in past tense:

I was taking a bath when my mother called me.

(if I interchange when per while, the meaning is not the same)

2. action verb + ing / while / action verb + ing:

I was doing my home work while my father was watching TV.

..... but I so another example with while as: action verb in past tense / while / action verb :

I broke my ankle while I was playing football.

So, any special rule? Interchangables when possible? ??????

Help.

Regina.

Anonymous · Answer

I believe that no one can come up with true explanation when to use when and while so let us not worry about them and let us just use them instinctively .
Sound better is not it ????

the use of when and while

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