When or While?

Question

I am writing a University entrance essay about what makes me unique from the other applicants. I'm not going to post the entire essay, but I am discussing it with friends and we're disagreeing.

In the following sentence, what word should I use, while or when?

I was diagnosed with ADHD while in the third grade, I was put on medicine, but I refused to take it.

I was diagnosed with ADHD when in the third grade, I was put on medicine, but I refused to take it.

Say it outloud, think about it, then answer. What sounds correct, while or when?

Ok, I re-wrote the sentence.

"I was diagnosed with ADHD while in the third grade; I was put on medication but I refused to take it."

But still...while or when??

Answer 1

"When" is more appropriate for your sentence.

While is used when an action is continuing as the same time as another. "John played ball while his dad watched from the bleachers."

Most likely, you were diagnosed once, rather continually throughout that year.

However, personally, I think the sentence sounds better like this:

When I was in the third grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed medicine, which I refused to take.

Good job for correcting your run-on sentence!

Answer 2

I would try:

When in the third grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I was prescribed medication, but I refused to take it.

BTW, another tip: avoid starting too many sentences with "I".

Answer 3

Well, 'when' is safest, I suppose. But actually I like while better. when just sounds a bit awkwardly placed, it's not how I would speak.

While sounds better

Answer 4

I would use "while."