When or while

martinlee1. I liked physics ( when) I was in at school.

martinlee2. Her father called ( while ) she was at school.

When and while have different temporal meanings. While - looks at a span in time. e.g. The phone rang while I was in the

while means "during that time"
when means "at that time"
1. when
2. when

martinleeI don't know which is the most appropriate answer in the following sentences.

1. I liked physics ( when / while) I was at school.

2. Her father called ( while / when ) she was at school.

'when' seems appropriate in those examples of yours. "While" is more appropriate or usual when used with progressive

Thanks so much.
In the example: I liked Physics when I was in school. ('when I was in school' sounds a span of time, so should 'while' is more appropriate ?

Thanks a lot.

martinleeI liked Physics when I was in school. ('when I was in school' sounds a span of time, so should 'while' is more appropriate ?

This is in retrospect. "When I was in school..." is a point in time even though is a long span of time. You are now working as an engineers looking back. When - is the correct conjunction. Consider this scenario: I was working a

Few more questions:

I dusted the room when you were vacuuming.
Do not disturb me when I am sleeping.

Is it correct to replace 'when' with ' while' to emphasize the two events happened simultaneously.

Thanks in advance.

while also means during the moment.
and when is different from the word while.

Thanks so much.
Two more questions:


I dusted the room when you were vacuuming.
Do not disturb me when I am sleeping.

Is it correct to replace 'when' with ' while' to emphasize the two events happened simultaneously.

Thanks in advance.



Reply

martinleeI dusted the room when you were vacuuming.

I approach your questions this way. It all depends on how we see the temporal meaning.
[ ----( dusted) ------------vacuuming -------------] Both when and while work in this case.

[ --- While I am sleeping----------------] do not disturb me.
Or, " I don't like to be disturbed when

Thanks so much. Your suggestions help a lot.Last question:Can I also say, ' Don't disturb me when I am sleeping.'?Thanks