the meaning and usage of 'while' and 'when'?

Question

can anyone tell me the different and the usage of 'while' and 'when' ?

Answer 1

WHILE...

NOUN:

A period of time: stay for a while; sang all the while...
The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something:
The project wasn't worth my while...

CONJUNCTION:

As long as; during the time that:
It was lovely while it lasted.
At the same time that; although:
While the grandparents love the children, they are strict with them.
Whereas; and: The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.



WHEN.....

ADVERB:

At what time: When will we leave?
CONJUNCTION:

At the time that: in the spring, when the snow melts.
As soon as: I'll call you when I get there.
Whenever: When the wind blows, all the doors rattle.
During the time at which; while: when I was young, I was sick all the time.
Whereas; although: She stopped short when she ought to have continued.
Considering that; if: How can he get good grades when he won't study?
PRONOUN:

What or which time: Since when has this been going on?
NOUN:

The time or date: Have they decided the where and when?

Answer 2

Hi!

"When" can be used as a Conjunction, an Adverb, and a Noun... "While" can only be used an a Conjuction or a Noun.

"When" can mean... "while", "at some point", "as soon as", "each time", "if", "although", "at or during which time", and "unspecified time period".

"While" only means... "at or during the same time", "even though", but in contrast", and "period of time".

As you can see above, the two words can sometimes ALMOST mean the same thing, but are not exact.

Example...
1. "when" is an UNSPECIFIED period of time -vs- "while", which is a period of time...

2. "when" is at or during WHICH time -vs- "while", which is at or during the SAME time...


While--

1. at or during same time: at or during the same time that...
"We can talk while I fix supper."

2. even though: in spite of the fact that...
"While I admire your tenacity, I cannot support your aims."

3. but in contrast: and on the contrary...
"An older car would be cheaper to buy while a newer one might be more reliable."


When...

1. while: at or during the time that
"When I was a child, I lived in the country."

2. as soon as: as soon as somebody does something or something happens
"Call me when you get home."

3. at some point: at some point during an activity, event, or circumstance
"We got him when he was still a pup."

4. each time: each time something happens
"When it thunders the whole house shakes."

5. if: considering the fact that
"Why walk when you can ride?"

6. although: in spite of the fact that
"They think I’m really easygoing, when in fact I’m not."

7. at or during which time: used to indicate a time at or during which something happens
"He remembered a time when he could run a mile without any difficulty."

8. unspecified time period: used to refer to the time that something happened or will happen (often used in the plural)
"We’re having trouble determining the whens and hows of the thing."

I hope this help...
T.

Answer 3

I'd say that you use "while" to refer to something happening during a period of time which is bound to end before long (and also stopping during that same period), or where that period of time has already started. I'd use "when" to refer to it happening during a period of time without an obvious end, or when it continues to happen after that period.

So it's "let's sort this out while you're here", but "we'll have children when we're married". "He left while I was asleep", but "he came when I needed him".

Answer 4

'while' means a period of time,e.g. where have you been all this while. 'when' means at what time or on what occasion, eg When can you come? When did that happen?
Hope that helps.

Answer 5

1. "while" while this radio show is on i,m going to make a drink
2 "when" when will this radio show be finished? hope this helps

Answer 6

why don't you hang around for a while and when i return you can leave for a while.

Answer 7

e.g: while:while i am studing my sister always listen to music
e.g:when:when i go to shopping my sister also comes with me...............................

u got it?sry i can't explain properly