while

/waɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /waɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)

while — conjunction

1. used to show that two events occur together during a shared period, without one

1.連接詞A1
釋義

used to show that two events occur together during a shared period, without one preceding or interrupting the other.

例句

Bao listened to music while he cooked dinner for his family.

while + clause expressing simultaneous actions

The children played outside while their mother prepared lunch in the kitchen.

同義詞
  • when

    more general for time; 'when' does not emphasise simultaneity as strongly as 'while'

  • as

    more formal and often used for two developing actions happening together

  • during

    preposition, not conjunction; followed by a noun, not a clause

文法句型

while + clause (subject + verb)

while + present participle

用法筆記

A when-clause can sometimes replace while-clauses, but while emphasises the duration or simultaneity more clearly. When the subject of both clauses is the same, the participle form is common: 'She listened while cooking.'

常見錯誤

❌I read a book while the rain.
✅I read a book while it was raining.
💡while must be followed by a clause (subject + verb), not a noun.
❌While he is tall, but his brother is short.
✅He is tall, while his brother is short.
💡do not add 'but' after while when contrasting.

2. used to introduce a fact that makes the main point seem surprising; although.

2.連接詞B1
釋義

used to introduce a fact that makes the main point seem surprising; although.

例句

While the apartment is small, it feels surprisingly warm and comfortable.

while + clause at sentence start for concessive meaning

While Cole agrees with the overall goal, he strongly disagrees with the method proposed.

同義詞
  • although

    more common in speech; interchangeable with while in this sense

  • even though

    stronger emphasis on the surprising contrast

  • though

    more informal; can appear at the end of a sentence

文法句型

while + clause (stating a contrast with the main clause)

用法筆記

This sense of while is more common in formal or written English. In everyday conversation, although or even though are more frequent. The clause with while usually comes first, but it can appear in the middle for a milder contrast.

常見錯誤

❌While the weather was bad, but we still went hiking.
✅While the weather was bad, we still went hiking.
💡do not add 'but' after while in concessive use; while already expresses the contrast.
❌While he is tired.' (as a complete sentence)
✅While he is tired, he keeps working.
💡a concessive while-clause needs a main clause to complete the meaning.

3. used to compare two facts or situations and show that they are different in a no

3.連接詞B2
釋義

used to compare two facts or situations and show that they are different in a noticeable way.

例句

Tara prefers green tea, while her brother drinks black coffee every morning.

while contrasting two people's preferences

In Japan people drive on the left, while in the US they drive on the right.

同義詞
  • whereas

    fully interchangeable; whereas is more formal

  • but

    simpler and more common in speech; less precise for balanced comparison

  • in contrast

    more formal; often starts a new sentence

文法句型

clause A + while + clause B (contrasting)

用法筆記

Unlike the concessive sense (Sense 2), this sense does not express contradiction — it simply draws a balanced comparison. Whereas is a direct synonym here, while also works in this sense because the contrast is not surprising.

常見錯誤

❌I like swimming, while I also like running.
✅I like swimming, while my brother prefers running.
💡while in this sense requires genuine contrast, not addition.
❌While he is tall, his brother is short, while they are both friendly.
✅He is tall, while his brother is short.
💡avoid using while twice in the same sentence for different types of contrast.

while — noun

while — preposition

while — verb