While and whereas

While should be used when two or more things are occurring simultaneously. "While he went into the store I stayed in the car."
Whereas should be used for a time comparison. "He went into the store,whereas I stayed in the car."

How can I use the conjunctions: while andwhereas? |

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| | | While to introduce a timeclause:While can be used in a number of different ways. We use it, first and foremost, when we want to talk about things that happen simultaneously. In this sense, it is similar to ‘as’ and ‘when’. Allof these conjunctions can serve to introduce a longer background situation which started before the shorter action. Consider the following and, at the same time, note the use that is made of the pastcontinuous in these contexts. * 'I completed the crossword as I was talking on the phone.' * 'I remembered that I had a letter to post when I was walking past the post box.' * 'While I wasreading the newspaper, my wife was ironing my shirts.'As you can see from the above examples, while is particularly useful if we are discussing long actions and wish to draw attention to the duration ofthe activities. Consider the following: * 'I’ll prepare breakfast while you’re having a shower.' * 'While I was recovering in hospital, my wife was enjoying a holiday in Cyprus.'Note that if thesubject is the same in both clauses, a participial construction may be used, particularly in written English. Compare the following: * 'She completed her first novel while working for the localnewspaper.' * 'She completed her first novel while she was working for the local newspaper.' | |
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| | | while / whereas to link two ideas that contrast with each other:Notethat while does not always refer to time. It is also used to balance two ideas that contrast with, but do not contradict, each other. In this sense, it is similar to whereas. Consider the following:...