0
Sun 94 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

While...

Can I use the following structure after while as follows when you want to talk about the activities which are happening at the same time?

I will be making tea while we watch TV
I will be making tea while we are watching TV
I will be making tea while watching TV

Also, I wonder if I can use when instead of while as follows.

I will be making tea when we watch TV
I will be making tea when we are watching TV
I will be making tea when watching TV
  

Top answer

All of your examples with 'while' are fine. Those with 'when' are not wrong, but they are not as good. Specifically: I will be making tea when we watch TV Not too bad, but 'while' is better.

— CalifJim

  • All of your examples with 'while' are fine.
  • Those with 'when' are not wrong, but they are not as good.
  • Specifically: I will be making tea when we watch TV Not too bad, but 'while' is better.
  • I will be making tea when we are watching TV Better: I'll make tea when we're watching TV.
  • I will be making tea when watching TV Not very good.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
All of your examples with 'while' are fine. Those with 'when' are not wrong, but they are not as good. Specifically:

I will be making tea when we watch TV Not too bad, but 'while' is better.
I will be making tea when we are watching TV Better: I'll make tea when we're watching TV.
I will be making tea when watching TV
0

Related Questions