while/when

Question

1. while/when signing up goes mobile service, a password and username have been given to me.(refers to now?)
2. while/when signing up goes mobile service, a password and username had been given to me.(refers to pass?)
Is it when and while above have the same meaning?
Thanks a lot.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

The sentences in your post are not correct. I'm not sure what you want to say, so I will give you lots of examples.

"When" means one point in time. When I was sixteen, I finished school and got my driving license.
While is a length of time. While I lived in New York, I went to the theater every week.
He sings while she plays the piano. (They do these activities at the same time)

Past time
1) They gave me a username and password when I signed up for mobile service. (active voice)
2) I was given a username and password when I signed up for mobile service. (passive voice)
3) While I was signing up for mobile service, they gave me a username and password.
4) While I was signing up for mobile service, I was given a username and password.

Present (but a general "you")

When you sign up for mobile service, they give you a username and password.
When you sign up for mobile service, you are given a username and password.
Present (happening right now).

I am signing up for mobile service and they are giving me a username and password.
I am signing up for mobile service and they have just given me a username and password. (this means that the signing up is not finished, but I have a username and password now.)

Future:
When I (you) sign up for mobile service, they will give me (you) a username and password.
While you are signing up for mobile service, they will give you a username and password.

.

Evo25 · Answer

Thanks for the clear explanations.
Appreciate it a lot.

while/when

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