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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

When

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.
  

Top 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.

  • 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 .
  • .
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12 Answers
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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 ide
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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' h
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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 ste
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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
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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. Back
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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'

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