while Vs When

Question

Hi everyone:  Could someone tell me the difference between the following tow sentences?1. I was studying when she called.     2. While I was studying, she called. Thanks!! have a good day!

Yoong Liat · Accepted Answer

EeltHi everyone:

Could someone tell me the difference between the following tow sentences?

1. I was studying when she called.

2. While I was studying, she called.

To me, they have the same meaning.

Eelt · Answer

Thanks Yoong Liat:

I was told they have very similar meanings ;however, they emphasize different parts of the sentence and that's what I can't fiugure out. I think for the first one , the emphasized pharse is "when she called", while other one is "While I was studying".Even though with that explanation, I still can't figure out the difference. So I need more explanation for that. Thanks:)

Yoong Liat · Answer

EeltThanks Yoong Liat:

I was told they have very similar meanings ;however, they emphasize different parts of the sentence and that's what I can't fiugure out. I think for the first one , the emphasized pharse is "when she called", while other one is "While I was studying".Even though with that explanation, I still can't figure out the difference. So I need more explanation for that. Thanks:)

To me, there is no difference in meaning. I wonder whether another member thinks differently.

CalifJim · Answer

The sentences are nearly identical in meaning. Both sentences show the same relationship between the activity of studying and the event of the call. The only difference is the choice of which of the two occupies the main clause and which occupies the subordinate clause.

The first sentence is primarily about what I was doing when I got the call. (The information about what I was doing is in the main clause.)
The second is about what happened while I was studying. (The information about what happened is in the main clause.)

Consider the questions that are answered by these sentences:
What were you doing when she called?
What happened while you were studying?

So in the first case, the event of the call is the known element before the sentence is uttered, while in the second case, the activity of studying is the known element before the sentence is uttered.

(As you probably already know, when is placed before a clause that represents an event, and while is placed before a clause that represents an activity.)

CJ

Eelt · Answer

Thanks!CalifJim:

That was a terrific explanation. Now I have known more about what different is in two sentence.Thank a lot and have a nice day.

Your truly

eelt

while Vs When

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