When

Question

Hi,What does 'when' mean here in the sentence below? Can I use 'while' or 'as' instead of 'when' here without changing the meaning?"Rain or shine, he goes out to work in the early morning when there is little traffic on the road."Thanks a lot.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

What does 'when' mean here in the sentence below? At the time that

Can I use 'while' or 'as' instead of 'when' here without changing the meaning?

Generally speaking, yes. But . . .

'When' is more common, I'd say.

'While' focuses more on the idea of the duration of the period of little traffic

'As' focuses more on the idea of 'because'.

"Rain or shine, he goes out to work in the early morning when there is little traffic on the road."

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,
Thank you for your explanation!
However, if 'as' refers to 'time' here, does it mean 'when' or 'while'? What would it focus on?

Thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
"Rain or shine, he goes out to work in the early morning as there is little traffic on the road."

However, if 'as' refers to 'time' here, does it mean 'when' or 'while'? What would it focus on?
I wouldn't interpret 'as ' here to refer to time at all. I'd take it to mean 'because / here is the reason'.

An example of 'as' relating to time is this.
He talks on the phone as he is driving.
Here, it means 'while'. As you can see, there are clearly two things happening at the same time. In your original example above, there are not two things happening at the same time. There are not two actions.

Another example.
He broke his leg as he fell down the stairs.
Here again, there are two actions, but it's ambiguous as to whether the focus is on 'time' (when/while) or on 'reason'.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,
Thank you very much for your explanation by giving your examples.

1.Can 'as' mean 'at the time that'? For example,
When/As I got up this morning, the birds were singing.
Is 'as' fine here?

2.He talks on the phone as he is driving.
Can I use 'when' here? Does it mean 'at the time that'?

3.While Mary was getting in a taxi, her boyfriend wrote down the icence plate number.
Can I use 'as' here instead of 'while'?

4.The old man clenched the railings tightly as he walked up the steps.
(1)Do the two actions happen at the same time?
(2)Can I use 'when' or 'while' instead of 'as' here?
(3)Can I use 'as he was walking'?
(4)What is the difference between
'as he walked' and 'as he was walking'?

Thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

1.Can 'as' mean 'at the time that'? Generally speaking, no, It conveys the idea more that two actions were happening at the same time, ie the idea of 'while'.
For example,
When/As I got up this morning, the birds were singing.
Is 'as' fine here? Yes, but it's like 'while', two things happening together.

2.He talks on the phone as he is driving.
Can I use 'when' here? Yes.
Does it mean 'at the time that'? My dictionary says 'during or at the time that'. To me, the 'during' aspect is strioneger, ie two things at the same time.

3.While Mary was getting in a taxi, her boyfriend wrote down the licence plate number.
Can I use 'as' here instead of 'while'? Yes. But 'while' is more common, particularly in speech.

4.The old man clenched the railings tightly as he walked up the steps.
(1)Do the two actions happen at the same time? Yes.
(2)Can I use 'when' or 'while' instead of 'as' here? Yes. I'd favour 'while' although we often interchange 'while' and 'when'.
,(3)Can I use 'as he was walking'? Yes, definitely.
(4)What is the difference between
'as he walked' and 'as he was walking'? The latter emphasizes the length of the action (of walking) more.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,

Many thanks for your helpful reply. Here are my questions:

1."He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while/when/as he was dancing with her."

(1) Is there any subtle difference among the three words? What do they focus on each?
(2) "He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while/when/as he danced with her."
Can I use while and when with 'simple past tense' here like above? What is the difference between the two forms if they can?

2. "While we were cleaning the windows, they were sweeping the floor."

"While we cleaned the windows, they swept the floor."

(1) What is the difference between the two sentences?
(2) Is 'when' or 'as' also fine here instead of 'while'?

3."It was dark when/while/as he was walking home from work."

Do the three words are interchangeable here?

4."While/When we were on the road, it began to rain."

"While/when we were on the road, it rained all along.

(1)Are while and when interchangeable here in the two sentences above?
(2)What does 'when' emphasize here?

5."While/When he was a student, he was poor."

Are 'while' and 'when' interchangeable here?

6.What do they emphasize in
each of the sentences?
(1)He trembled as he spoke.
(2)He trembled while he spoke.
(3)He trembled when he spoke.

Does 'He trembled while he was speaking' mean the same as 'He trembled while he spoke.'?

Does 'He trembled when he spoke' mean the same as 'He trembled when he was speaking'?

7.Are when, while, and as interchangeable here?
(1)He often whistles when/while/as he is walking.

(2)When/while/As you are traveling, it is normal to have the runs sometmes.

Thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

1."He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while/when/as he was dancing with her."

(1) Is there any subtle difference among the three words? What do they focus on each?
'While' stresses duration more than 'when'. 'As' stresses two activities at the same time. In additon, I'd say 'as' is less common than the other two, particularly in speech.

(2) "He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while/when/as he danced with her."
Can I use while and when with 'simple past tense' here like above? Yes.
What is the difference between the two forms if they can? 'While' stresses duration more.

2. "While we were cleaning the windows, they were sweeping the floor."

"While we cleaned the windows, they swept the floor."

(1) What is the difference between the two sentences? The activities sound long in #1.

(2) Is 'when' or 'as' also fine here instead of 'while'? Yes.

3."It was dark when/while/as he was walking home from work."

Do the three words are interchangeable here? Yes, subject to my comments above.

4."While/When we were on the road, it began to rain."

"While/when we were on the road, it rained all along.

(1)Are while and when interchangeable here in the two sentences above? Yes, subject to my comments above.

(2)What does 'when' emphasize here? It doesn't 'emphasize' anything.

5."While/When he was a student, he was poor."

Are 'while' and 'when' interchangeable here? 'While' suggsts poverty for the whole time that he was a student. 'When' leaves a bit more open the possibility that he was poor some of the time, and perhaps rich for some of the time. Maybe he won the lottery.

I feel you are repeating some of your questions now.
But ask again if you are still unclear about all this.

As I told you earlier, native speakers do not distinguish between 'when' and 'while' as carefully as you perhaps think, especially in speech.

6.What do they emphasize in
each of the sentences?
(1)He trembled as he spoke.
(2)He trembled while he spoke.
(3)He trembled when he spoke.

Does 'He trembled while he was speaking' mean the same as 'He trembled while he spoke.'?

Does 'He trembled when he spoke' mean the same as 'He trembled when he was speaking'?

7.Are when, while, and as interchangeable here?
(1)He often whistles when/while/as he is walking.

(2)When/while/As you are traveling, it is normal to have the runs sometmes.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,

I'm greatful for your answers. However, I'm still unclear about their usage. Here are my questions:
1.
(1)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while he danced with her.
(2)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while he was dancing with her.

What is the subtle difference in meaning between #1 and #2?

(3)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot when he danced with her.
(4)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot when he was dancing with her.

What is the difference between #3 and #4?

2."While we cleaned the windows, they swept the floor."
(1)Do the two activities sound short or what does it emphasize?
(2)The difference between 'while we were cleaning' and 'while we cleaned' can apply to 'as we were cleaning' and 'as we cleaned' and 'when we were cleaning' and 'when we cleaned'?

3."It was dark as he was walking home from work."
(1)I am confused why 'as' is ok here because there aren't two actions in the sentence.
(2)Can I say
"It was dark when/while/as he walked home from work."

4.If 'when' means 'whenever' can I use 'while' or 'as' instead of 'when'? For example,
(1)When/while/As you are traveling, it is normal to have the runs sometimes.

Can I use simple present tense here, as in
(2)When/While/As you travel, it is normal to have the runs sometimes.

What is the difference between '#1 and #2

5.If the same person does two actions during the same period of time, Sould I use while, when or 'as here? Here are three pairs of examples, which is correct in the pairs?

(1)John is often whistling when/while/as he is walking.
(2)He often whistles when/while/as he walks.

(3)The students took notes while/when/as they listened.
(4)The students were taking notes while/when/as they were listening.
(If the actions happened some time ago)

If the actions are happening right now, can I say
(5)The students are taking notes while/when/as they are listening.
or
(6)The students take notes while/when/as they listen.

6.When it comes to 'age' can I use 'while'? For example,
'When she was only five years old, she could speak three languages.'
Can I use 'while' here instead of 'when?

7.'I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.'

I think 'when' means 'at the time that' here and the two actions happened at the same time. Can I use 'as' instead of 'when' as in
'I thought of it just as you opened your mouth.'

By the way, what does 'subject to' mean in 'subject to my comments above'?

I appreciate your help.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

It might be helpful to you if I first try to summarize the comments on as/when/while by Michael Swan in his very useful book, 'Practical English Usage'. I think it's possible you may have already looked at this, but here it is anyway.

To talk about actions or situations that take place at the seame time, we can use as/when/while. There are some differences.
1. Backgrounds: as/when/while
We can use all 3 to introduce a longer background action or situation, which is going on when something else happens.
As I was having a shower, the phone rang.
The phone rang when I was havng a shower.
While I was having a shower, the phone rang.

All 3 clauses can go at the beginning or the end, but 'as' clauses usually introduce less important rmation and most often go at the beginning.

A progressive tense is usually used for the longer background action. But as/while can be used with a simple tense, especially with verbs like sit/lie/grow that refer to a continuous action or state.
As I sat in front of the TV, the phone rang.

3. Simultaneous long actions: while/as

We usually say as/while to show that 2 longer actions or situations went on at the same time. You can use progressive or simple tenses.

While you were sleeping, I was working.
Mary cooked dinner while I watched TV.

'As' is used (with simple tenses) to talk about 2 situations which develop or change together.
As I get older, I get more optimistic.

We prefer 'when' to refer to ages and periods of life.
When I was a child, we lived in . (Not As/While I was a child. . . )

His parents died when he was ten. (Not while he was ten)

3. Simultaneous short actions: (just ) as; (just) when

We usually use (just) as to say that 2 short actions happen at the same time.
As I opened my eyes, I heard a strange voice.
Mary always arrives just as I start work.

(Just) when is also possible.
I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.

4. Reduced clauses with 'when' and 'while'.

It's often possible to omit 'subject + be' after 'when', especially when it means 'whenever', and also after 'while'.
Don't forget to signal when turning right ie when (you are) turning right.
Start when ready ie when (you are) ready.
While in Japan, he learned Japanese. ie while (he was) in .

Now, I'll try to comment on your questions. These are my comments, not Swan's. I haven't refered back to Swan to review my answers. I've just answered from the point of view of an ordinary native speaker.

I'm greatful for your answers. However, I'm still unclear about their usage. Here are my questions:
1.
(1)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while he danced with her.
(2)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot while he was dancing with her.

What is the subtle difference in meaning between #1 and #2? #2 suggests more that he did not just dance with her for a short time.

(3)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot when he danced with her.
(4)He carelessly stepped on Jenny's foot when he was dancing with her.

What is the difference between #3 and #4? Same comment.

2."While we cleaned the windows, they swept the floor."
(1)Do the two activities sound short or what does it emphasize? No. They just sound complete.
(2)The difference between 'while we were cleaning' and 'while we cleaned' can apply to 'as we were cleaning' and 'as we cleaned' and 'when we were cleaning' and 'when we cleaned'? Yes.

3."It was dark as he was walking home from work."
(1)I am confused why 'as' is ok here because there aren't two actions in the sentence. It's probably because the verb 'be' is special. Here, it describes an ongoing state.
(2)Can I say
"It was dark when/while/as he walked home from work." Yes

4.If 'when' means 'whenever' can I use 'while' or 'as' instead of 'when'? For example,
(1)When/while/As you are traveling, it is normal to have the runs sometimes. 'When/while' sound OK. 'As' doesn't sound so good to me. It also sounds a bit like it might mean 'because'.

Can I use simple present tense here, as in
(2)When/While/As you travel, it is normal to have the runs sometimes. Same comment as just above.

What is the difference between '#1 and #2 #2 stresses duration a bit more.

5.If the same person does two actions during the same period of time, Sould I use while, when or 'as here? Here are three pairs of examples, which is correct in the pairs?

(1)John~~is often whistling~~ when/while/as he is walking. Continuous does not sound correct here, because 'often' refers to a habit, which is best described by a simple tense.
(2)He often whistles when/while/as he walks. I prefer 'while'.

(3)The students took notes while/when/as they listened.
(4)The students were taking notes while/when/as they were listening.
(If the actions happened some time ago) 'When' does not sound good here. It sems to suggest that sometimes the students were not listening. Like'whenever'.

If the actions are happening right now, can I say
(5)The students are taking notes while/when/as they are listening.
or
(6)The students take notes while/when/as they listen.
The tense does not make any difference. Same comments as just above.

6.When it comes to 'age' can I use 'while'? For example,
'When she was only five years old, she could speak three languages.'
Can I use 'while' here instead of 'when? No. See Swan's comment on this.

7.'I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.'

I think 'when' means 'at the time that' here and the two actions happened at the same time. Can I use 'as' instead of 'when' as in
'I thought of it just as you opened your mouth.' Yes.

By the way, what does 'subject to' mean in 'subject to my comments above'?

It means 'Consider my comments above'. 'Yes, subject to my comments above' means "The answer is 'Yes', but only to the extent allowed by my comments above".

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,
Many thanks for your information about their usage. I'v heard of Michael Swan, but I don't have any grammar books written by him. Here are some more questions:

1.
"While we cleaned the windows, they swept the floor."

Do the two activities sound short or what does it emphasize?
Your answer: No. They just sound complete

Does 'complete' mean 'finish' or what else here?

2."As/While/When I had a shower, the phone rang."

It was dark when/while/as he walked home from work."

Do the simple tenses above emphasize a continuous action as Swan said?

3.(1)When/while you are traveling, it is normal to have the runs sometimes.
(2)When/while you traveled, it is normal to have the runs sometimes.

What is the difference between '#1 and #2?
Your answer: #2 stresses duration a bit more.

I'm a litte confused about your anwer here.
Do you mean 'when/while you traveled' stresses duration abit more?
Does 'when/while you are traveling' stresses a longer action?

4.He often whistles when/while/as he walks.
Your answer: I prefer 'while'.
How about 'when' and 'as'?
Are they ok here?

5.
(1)The students were taking notes while/as they were listening.
(2)The students took notes while/as they listened.

What is the difference between #1 and #2?

6.If the actions are happening right now,
(1)The students are taking notes while/as they are listening.

(2)The students take notes while/as they listen.

Your answer:The tense does not make any difference

Do you mean I can use #1 or #2 here to express the actions are happening now? Is there any subtle difference between #1 and #2?

7.'I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.'
What does 'when' stress here if 'as' stresses the two actions happened at the same time?

8."Simultaneous long actions: while/as"(This information is from your post)
(1)According to your answer, 'when' is also fine here. Right? Or 'as' and 'while are more correct? For example,
"When we were cleaning the windows, they were sweeping the floor."

(2)Is 'when' not common to use in such a situaton?

9.The examples are from my grammar book. They mean a person does two long actions during the same time:
(1)Grandmother sings while she works.
(2)Grandmother sings as she works.

However, I don't understand if
the two sentences mean it's a habit for her to sing and work during the same time or she is singing and working right now?

What is the difference between as and while here? Does 'while' stress 'duration' and 'as' stresses the actions happen at the same time?

Is 'when' ok here? What would it emphasize?

Thanks a lot.

When

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