what's difference between When & While

[Farrukh Aziz]

what's difference between When & While? plz let me know i'm very confused..

[Bushra Sabeen]

important query
what's difference between When & While? plz let me know i'm very confused

WHEN
interrogative adverb
at what time:
when did you last see him?
[with preposition]:
since when have you been interested?
how soon:
when can I see you?
in what circumstances:
when would such a rule be justifiable?
relative adverb
at or on which (referring to a time or circumstance):
Saturday is the day when I get my hair done
WHILE
noun
1a period of time:
we chatted for a while
she retired a little while ago
(a while) for some time:
can I keep it a while?
2 (the while) at the same time; meanwhile:
he starts to draw, talking the while
literary during the time that:
beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung

[Farrukh Aziz]

thnks a lot for ur kind reply but what difference between these sentence is: 1.I saw him when I was going to Karachi. 2. I saw him while I was going to Karachi.

[Bushra Sabeen]

1.I saw him when I was going to Karachi

Jub mai Karachi ja raha tha, mai ny usy dekha.
Here when iz Advrb

2. I saw him while I was going to Karachi.

Kuch arsa phly jb mai Karachi ja raha tha mai ny usy dekh,means here While is Noun.

thnks a lot for ur kind reply

May be its not informative, but i hv this info, so i share it.

[Fassi]

Originally Posted by Farrukh Aziz

what's difference between When & While? plz let me know i'm very confused..

Originally Posted by Faisaljd

sorry, i did not mean it...... but there is no one to help us so why we may waste our boring moments ........ be chill...................

Dear ab aap ka kya khayal hy koi aapki madad karne ke liye hy ya nai... so ghalt bat nai karte....

Originally Posted by Faisaljd

thanx Bushra mem, pr abi b samaj me nahi aaya.................

Difference Between When and While?

Both when and while can be used to talk about actions or situations that take place at the same time.


Michael Swan identifies the following differences:


Backgrounds

We can use both words to introduce a longer ‘background’ action or situation, which is/was going on when something else happens/happened.
• Somebody broke into the house when they were playing cards.
• While they were playing cards, somebody broke into the house.

Note that when and while clauses can go at the beginning or end of sentences.
• I was having a bath when the telephone rang.
• While they were having a nap, somebody broke into the house.


Simultaneous Long Actions

While is used to say that two longer actions or situations go/went on at the same time. We can use progressive or simple tenses.
• While he was watching TV, I was working.
• He slept while I cooked supper.

As is used to refer to two situations which develop or change together. We normally use simple tenses.
• As I get older, I get more optimistic.
• As he came into the room, all rose to their feet.

When is used to refer to ages and periods of life.
• His parents died when he was ten.
• When I was a child we lived in London (NOT While I was a child …)
• His parents died when he was twelve (NOT … while he was twelve)


Simultaneous Short Actions

We can use (just) when to say that two short actions or events happen / happened at the same time:
• I thought of it (just) when you opened your mouth.

Note: While is not possible in this situation.


Reduced Clauses

It is often possible to drop subject + be after when and while.
• Start when ready. (= Start when you are ready.)
• While/When in Germany, he got to know a family of musicians. (=While/When he was in Germany …)




Regards
Muhammad Faisal ul Islam Advocate