WHEN & WHILE

English 102

When?

• We use when and while to talk about two things that are happening at the same time.

Examples

• I was sleeping when the teacher finished the lesson.

• He was snoring while she was watching a movie.

Difference?

WHILE

• Usually we use while when there are two long actions.

WHEN Usually we use when if one action is long and the other is short. We use when if there are two short actions. We use when if we talk about periods of our life (When I was 12 …)

Example 1

• The dog was barking. She was talking to her mother on the phone.

• talking to her mother = long action

• dog barking = long or short (Did the dog bark for a long time? Did it bark for a short time?)

• It is unclear whether there are two long actions here.

… So we can use when or while, e.g.:

• The dog was barking when she was talking to her mother on the phone.

• The dog was barking while she was talking to her mother on the phone.

Example 2

• She was doing the dishes. The telephone rang.

• doing dishes = long action

• phone rang = short action.

…So we'd say:

• She was doing the dishes when the telephone rang.

Example 3

• The alarm bell rang. He was sleeping.

• He was sleeping = long action

• alarm bell rang = long or short action (Did it ring for a short time? Did it ring for a long time?)

• It is unclear whether they are both long actions.

… So we can use when or while.

• The alarm bell rang while she was sleeping.

• The alarm bell rang when she was sleeping.

Example 4

• It was raining. I was watching a movie.

• It was raining = long action.

• I was watching a movie = long action

*2 long actions*

… So we'd say:

• It was raining while I was watching a movie.

Example 5

• I saw lightning. I heard thunder.

• saw lightning = short action

• heard thunder = short action

*2 short actions*

… So we'd say:

• I saw lightning when I heard thunder.

Example 6

• She was driving to work. She heard the news.

• she was driving to work = long action

• she heard the news = probably a short action

… So we'd probably say:

• She was driving to work when she heard the news.

*Food for Thought*

• Now that you know the rules, you also need to know that they are not 100 percent. They are just a guide. Often it isn't so important which one you use, but sometimes it is. If you understand the rules above, you'll get it right 99% of the time!

Thank You