Whileorwhilst?
Whileandwhilstmean the same when we use them as conjunctions. They bothmean ‘during the time that something else happens’, or ‘in contrast with something else’.Whileis much more common thanwhilst, andwhilstsounds more formal:
Would you like something to eatwhilewe’re waiting?(less common:…whilstwe’re waiting?) (during the time we’re waiting)
British English prefers an ‘s’ for words like realise, organise and industrialise,whileAmerican English prefers ‘z’ (realize, organize, industrialize).(less common:…whilstAmerican English prefers ‘z’ …) (expressing a contrast between British and American English)
See also:
Whereas
Whileorwhen?
While(orwhilst) means ‘during the time when something else happens’.Whencan mean the same aswhile, butwhencan also refer to a point in time.
during the time something happens | a point in time |
|
|
Whileas a noun
A whilemeans ‘an unspecified period of time’:
We spenta whilelooking at the boats in the harbour before going for lunch.
I haven’t seen Andrew fora while. I wonder if he’s okay.
It’salongwhilesince anyone lived in that house – maybe ten years. It’s a ruin now.
Typical error
Whiledoes not mean the same aswhen:
Always keep some change with you. It’s usefulwhenbuying a bus ticket.
Not: …while buying a bus ticket.
WhenI came home, I made some dinner then watched TV.
Not:While I came home…