The difference between ‘when’ and ‘while’ – Spoken English Lesson

Summary

This educational video script clarifies the usage of 'when' and 'while' in English. It explains that 'when' is used for a short action interrupting a longer one, or to denote a specific point in time, such as during a holiday or a phase in life. Conversely, 'while' is appropriate for simultaneous long-duration actions. The script provides examples and emphasizes the incorrectness of using 'while' to refer to life stages or periods.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Use 'when' to describe a short action that interrupts a longer action.
• 🔄 Use 'while' for two simultaneous long actions happening over the same period.
• ⏳ 'When' is appropriate for referring to a specific point in time or a particular moment.
• 🚫 Avoid using 'while' to describe a specific point in time or moment; use 'when' instead.
• 🌴 Use 'when' to talk about actions that follow one another, especially if they are short actions.
• 🔁 You cannot use 'while' to describe a sequence where one action follows another immediately.
• 📅 Use 'when' to refer to a particular age or stage in life, such as childhood or teenage years.
• 🏡 'While' is not used to describe a phase of life; 'when' is the correct choice here.
• 📚 The distinction between 'when' and 'while' is subtle but important for clear communication.
• 📝 Practice using 'when' and 'while' correctly in your daily speech to improve your language skills.

Q & A

What is the main difference between using 'when' and 'while'?

The main difference is that 'when' is used for a short action interrupting a longer action or referring to a specific point in time, while 'while' is used for two long actions happening simultaneously.

Can you use 'when' and 'while' interchangeably in all contexts?

No, you cannot use 'when' and 'while' interchangeably. 'When' is used for a specific moment or a short action interrupting a longer action, whereas 'while' is used for two long actions happening at the same time.

What is an example of using 'when' for a short action interrupting a longer action?

An example is 'I was reading when you called.' Here, the longer action of reading is interrupted by the shorter action of you calling.

How would you use 'while' to describe two simultaneous long actions?

You would say something like 'I was working while you were reading.' Both actions are long and happening at the same time.

Is it correct to say 'I was reading while you called'?

No, it is not correct because 'while' is used for simultaneous actions, not for a short action interrupting a longer one. The correct phrase would be 'I was reading when you called.'

Can you provide an example where 'when' is used to indicate a specific point in time?

Yes, an example is 'I like to wear casual clothes when I'm on holiday.' Here, 'when' is used to indicate the specific time of being on holiday.

What is the correct way to refer to a period of life using 'when'?

You should say 'When I was a child, we lived in London.' This refers to a specific period or stage of life.

Is it grammatically correct to use 'while' to refer to a period of life?

No, it is not correct. You should use 'when' to refer to a period of life, not 'while.'

How do you use 'when' to describe an action following another?

You can say 'He came out when the bell rang.' Here, 'when' is used to show that one action (the bell ringing) immediately led to another action (he came out).

What is the significance of using 'when' for short actions happening one after another?

Using 'when' for short actions happening one after another emphasizes the immediacy and sequence of the actions, which is not conveyed as clearly with 'while.'

What is the speaker's advice for using 'when' and 'while' correctly in daily life?

The speaker advises to use 'when' for specific points in time, short actions interrupting longer ones, or actions following each other, and 'while' for simultaneous long actions.

Outlines

00:00

🕒 Understanding 'When' and 'While'

This paragraph discusses the correct usage of 'when' and 'while' in English. It explains that 'when' is used for a short action interrupting a longer action, such as 'I was reading when you called', where 'called' is the shorter action. It also clarifies that 'when' is appropriate for referring to a specific point in time or a past period, like 'when I was a child'. The paragraph provides examples to illustrate the differences and nuances between using 'when' and 'while'.

05:01

📚 Clarifying 'When' and 'While'

The second paragraph continues the discussion on the use of 'when' and 'while'. It emphasizes that 'while' is used for two simultaneous long actions, such as 'I was working while you were reading'. The paragraph also points out that 'when' is used to refer to a specific age or period in life, like 'when I was a child'. It stresses the incorrectness of using 'while' in such contexts. The speaker concludes by encouraging the correct use of these conjunctions in everyday speech and hints at a test for the audience.

Keywords

💡when

In the context of the video, 'when' is used to indicate a specific point in time at which something happens or to denote a relationship between two actions where one action interrupts another. It's often used to describe a shorter action that occurs during a longer action. For instance, 'I was reading when you called' illustrates the use of 'when' to show that the act of calling interrupted the ongoing activity of reading.

💡while

'While' in the video script refers to a conjunction used to connect two actions that are happening at the same time and over a longer duration. It's used to show simultaneity, as in 'I was working while you were reading,' where both actions are ongoing and occur in parallel.

💡conjunction

A conjunction in grammar is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses. In the video, 'when' and 'while' are highlighted as conjunctions that are crucial for constructing sentences that describe the timing and sequence of events.

💡action

The term 'action' in the video refers to a verb or a verb phrase that denotes something that a person or thing does. The script explains how to use 'when' and 'while' based on the duration and interruption of actions, such as 'I was reading' versus 'you called'.

💡interruption

Interruption, as discussed in the video, is a concept where one action momentarily stops another. 'When' is used to describe such scenarios, like 'when you called' which interrupted the action of 'I was reading'.

💡simultaneous

Simultaneous actions are actions that occur at the same time. The video uses 'while' to link simultaneous actions, such as 'I was working, while you were reading', indicating that both actions were happening concurrently.

💡point of time

A 'point of time' refers to a specific moment or instance. The video uses 'when' to refer to a point in time, such as 'when I'm on holiday', to denote a specific period or moment.

💡phase of life

The video uses 'phase of life' to describe a particular period or stage in one's life. 'When' is used to refer to actions or events that occurred during a specific phase, like 'when I was a child'.

💡short action

A 'short action' is an action that takes a brief amount of time compared to another action. The video script uses 'when' with short actions that interrupt longer actions, such as 'when you called' during a prolonged reading session.

💡long action

A 'long action' is an action that extends over a significant period. The video explains that 'while' is used for long actions happening at the same time, like 'I was working' (a long action) 'while you were reading'.

💡correct usage

The video emphasizes the importance of 'correct usage' of conjunctions like 'when' and 'while' to convey the accurate timing and sequence of events in a sentence. It provides examples and explanations to help viewers understand and apply the correct usage in their speech and writing.

Highlights

When to use 'when' and 'while' can be confusing.

Use 'when' to refer to actions happening at the same time or a past period in life.

'When' is used for short actions interrupting a longer action.

Example: 'I was reading, when you called' - 'when' is used for a short action interrupting a longer one.

Use 'while' for two simultaneous long actions.

Example: 'I was working, while you were reading' - 'while' is used for two long actions happening at the same time.

'It was cooking, while you were surfing the internet' is correct usage of 'while'.

Use 'when' to refer to a specific point in time.

Example: 'I like to wear casual clothes, when I'm on holiday' - 'when' is used for a specific time.

Use 'when' when one action follows another, especially if they are short actions.

Example: 'He came out, when the bell rang' - 'when' is used for actions following each other.

Do not use 'while' when referring to a stage or period in life.

Example: 'When I was a child, we lived in London' - 'when' is used for a period of life.

The difference between 'when' and 'while' lies in the timing and duration of the actions.

Use 'when' for a short action interrupting a long action, or for a specific point in time.

Use 'while' for two long actions happening simultaneously.

Do not use 'while' to refer to an age or stage of life; use 'when' instead.

Correct usage of 'when' and 'while' can enhance the clarity of your speech.

A small test is provided for practice at the end of the lesson.

The lesson aims to help you use 'when' and 'while' correctly in daily life.

Transcripts

Hey friends you know what? When I was a child, I was very naughty. I don't know if I should

say? When I was a child or while I was a child? I'm a little confused. Are you confused? Well,

a little, let's find out. Today we are going to look at, when to use when and while? When

we are referring to actions that were happening at the same time or maybe sometimes you refer

to a past period in your life and you want to say, " That time something happened". And

often we get confused as in when to use when? And when to use why? So let's take a look.

If I say, " I was reading, when you called". Now use when in a sentence, when you have

a short action. So you have a long action. Now imagine I'm reading like I've been reading

for two hours and in those two hours, you call. So when you called the shorter action

is interrupted. So you have a longer action and call is a shorter action use when. To

say" I was reading while you called" Does it sound right? No. You want to say at that

moment. When you called at that moment. So you may have a long action in the sentence

like this a continuous action. But you have a shorter action interrupting use when, so

when you have a shorter action in the sentence. It is always better to use when.

Now let's see how you'd use while? If I say “I was working, while you were reading".

Now if you see two actions were happening simultaneously. I was working, so working

I was working probably for three hours and you were reading. So reading was also happening

over a long period of time, when you are talking about two long actions, it is always better

to use while. Well, you could use when, but like I said longer actions use while. “So

while you were reading". So for example, “I was cooking, while you were surfing the internet".

That means my action of cooking was a long action and you were surfing maybe for probably

half an hour. So the action both the actions were in continuity and both were long. So

it is always better to use while. You can use when, but if you have too long actions

that were happening simultaneously use while.

My next example “I like to wear casual clothes, when I'm on holiday". Now here I'm talking

about some point of time. When? At that time. Which time? When I'm on holiday. I like to

wear casual clothes, when I'm on a holiday that means at that time. While I'm on holiday.

No, so when I'm on a holiday or you want to say one action happens immediately after the

other use when. So here you're referring to at that time, so use when. Because if you

say “I like to wear casual clothes, while I'm on a holiday" No, you are referring to

at that time. Which point of time? When you're on a holiday. So use when, so do not use while

in this such a sentence. This would really not give you the correct picture or the meaning.

Use when, when you want to say “At that point of time". Or “At that time.

Now my next example, "He came out, when the bell rang". Now if you go to see, one action

follows another. So when you have one action following the other use when. He came out

when? When the bell rang, so the bell rang and he came out. So one action is happening

after the other. First the bell rang then he came out, so when you have such short actions

in this case there are almost two short actions. Use when or I can say" He fell when he climbed

the tree" So he fell, when he climbed, so he climbed and he fell, so maybe at that time

one action happened after the other. You could use when in such a situation, when you have

two shorter actions or when you want to say one action immediately happened after another

action use when. Now if I said the same thing with while, “He came out while the bell

rang". No, you can't have such a sentence. Well, people will eventually understand what

you mean to say, but it is always better to use when the bell rang. So remember when one

action immediately happens after another, it is always better to use when, because probably

we are talking about too short actions. So there is a slight difference between the two

and this how you identify the difference. Now supposing I'm referring to a particular

phase of life or maybe period of life, I'm going back in the past and saying, “When

I was a child or when I was a teenager or when I was in college. I had a great time".

So when you talk about an age or a period of life use when like this, “When I was

a child we lived in London. Now when I was a child, it’s a particular age or a period

of life. “When I was a child, we lived in London that means at that particular age or

a period of life. We lived in London. So I'm referring to a past time, maybe at that time,

when I was of that age this is what happened. So remember use when, when you talk about

age or a particular period of life or a stage of life.

Now if I use while, It would really not make sense, because I can't say, “While I was

a child, we lived in London. So while I was a child. Does it make sense? No I'm referring

to a stage of life of mine and that should be when and not while. So the correct one

would be “When I was a child" So you do not use while to refer to age or a particular

stage or a phase or a period in your life use when. Do remember this. This is very important.

So this is the small difference between when and while. When you are talking about two

actions one is a long one, one is a short one that has interrupted the long action.

Use when, but if you're talking about two long actions that was simultaneously happening

in the past. Well, go ahead and use while. When you want to say at that point of time

use when, do not use while. For example, I like to wear casuals, when I'm on a holiday,

don't say while I'm on a holiday.

When one action follows the other specially when there are two small actions. Please use

when, It is a better option than while. And yes definitely when you are referring to an

age or a stage in your life. Maybe a particular phase, a period in your life. Go ahead and

use when, because it is absolutely incorrect to use while.

So this is the small difference between when and while and I hope you enjoy this lesson.

Go ahead and use these two words correctly, when you speak in your day to day life. I

do have a small test for you, take it and let me know your scores. I'll be back soon

with a new lesson. Till then take care and bye.