While VS. When

Question

Please show me how to use While and When correctlyand how can I differentiate between themand what's the difference between thier meaningsare they used interchangably ?

Philip · Accepted Answer

They often can be used interchangeably. For the beginner, I think this is a good rule of thumb.

While with a continuous tense, when with a simple tense.

While I was eating breakfast, my sister was finishing her homework.

While I was eating breadfast, the phone rang.

When I eat breakfast too early, I get very hungry by 10:00.

When I fell on the sidewalk, I broke my right arm.

This is an oversimplification, but it's a start. I hope it helps you.

Obaidtariq · Answer

Greetings !

"While" is used to describe a period of time. For example

While you were reading the paper, I was working.

They have been singing all this while.

While they were playing cards, somebody broke into the house.

While you're there can you get me some stamps?

While I was in Italy I went to see Alessandro.

Here while shows the period/passage of time from youth to adulthood, whereas "when" only describes the period of youth, in other words, a specific time. For example

When does England play Germany?

When the policeman turned away, the accused made an attempt to escape.

When I was a child we lived in London.

He was quite shocked when I told him

Somebody broke into the house when they were playing cards.

Best Regards

Obaid Tariq

While VS. When

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