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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

While at it

I've read sentences where 'while at it' connects two clauses. What does it mean? I can't find any text at the moment, but it is something like this: He tried to comfort her, and while at it, he kept caressing her hair. Is 'while at it' used to show that the simultaneity of both actions?

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Top answer

That seems to be an unusual sentence construction, but yes the writer is trying to show simultaneous actions. Generally, these would be actions that are not commonly connected. Dave steered the speeding vehicle and while at it, tried to revive the unconscious cat.

— Jeff Cowell

  • That seems to be an unusual sentence construction, but yes the writer is trying to show simultaneous actions.
  • Generally, these would be actions that are not commonly connected.
  • Dave steered the speeding vehicle and while at it, tried to revive the unconscious cat.
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5 Answers
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That seems to be an unusual sentence construction, but yes the writer is trying to show simultaneous actions. Generally, these would be actions that are not commonly connected.

Dave steered the speeding vehicle and while at it, tried to revive the unconscious cat.
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AnonymousIs 'while at it' used to show that the simultaneity of both actions?
Yes. It's casual English and, to me, doesn't seem terribly comfortable in your example sentence. More common are uses like "I'll wash the car and, while I'm at it, I'll get rid of all that junk in the boot." Similarly, "while you're/he's/etc. at it".
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Thanks, both of you.

Is there another way to convey the same thing without using 'while at it'? I find it a little awkward.

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AnonymousIs there another way to convey the same thing without using 'while at it'? I find it a little awkward.
You can say:

"He tried to comfort her, caressing her hair as he did so."

"He tried to comfort her, at the same time caressing her hair."

"He tried to comfort her, all the while caressing her hair."

Or simply:
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Thanks, Mr. Wordy.

Can we also say: He tried to comfort her, and as he did, he caressed her hair. Would that sound better than 'while at it'?

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