Table of Contents
Can a sentence start with the word while?
Generally speaking, starting a sentence with while followed by a comma is not wrong, or grammatically not correct. The sentence you wrote as example should not have a comma after while: While it looks warm outside, there is actually a cold breeze so it is not warm at all.
How can I use while?
We can use while or as to talk about two longer events or activities happening at the same time. We can use either simple or continuous verb forms: We spent long evenings talking in my sitting-room while he played the music he had chosen and explained his ideas.
How do we use while?
We usually use while when we have two continuous actions taking place at the same time. The key is the word “continuous.” The following are examples of using while for continuous actions: One example is taking place now, and the other example took place in the past, but both are continuous and simultaneous actions.
How do you use while and while in a sentence?
So, both while and when are used when two things happen at the same time, but we tend to use while with two continuous actions and when with two single actions.
How can I use while in English?
- While is not used only used to introduce adverbial clauses of time. In more formal usage, it is used to link or balance ideas that contrast each other:
- meanwhile = during this time.
- Meanwhile, meaning during this time, is a linking adverb which connects and contrasts ideas between two sentences.
- a while = a short time.
Which tense is used with while?
So as a general rule, you should use “while” in a clause with a continuous action, using a verb in a continuous tense. Use “when” in a clause with a single action, using a simple past or present tense.
How do you use while in present tense?
Present: Use “while” or “as” to express what always happens when something else important takes place. This use of “while” and “as” is not as common as the time expression “when.” Notice that the preposition “during” is often used in place of “while” or “as” to express the same idea.
When can I use while?
How do you use while and meanwhile?
Should I use while or whilst?
Typically, Brits use whilst and Americans use while. That’s the main difference. When used as a conjunction or an adverb, while and whilst are interchangeable: There wasn’t much Stanley could do while he waited.
Can we use while with past simple?
While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang. Also, we use while to show that a shorter action (usually in the past simple, e.g. the phone rang) happened during as a longer action (usually in past progressive, e.g. I was cooking dinner). Often this shorter action interrupts the longer action.
When do you use the word while?
Awhile is an adverb that means “for a while,” whereas “while” is a noun meaning “a period of time.”. Generally, you should use the two word form, “a while,” when following a preposition (I will read for a while), or with the words ago or back (a while ago/back).
When do I use a comma before “while”?
Don’t use a comma before while when you mean “during the same time. ” Do use a comma before while when you mean “whereas” or “although.”
What does in a while mean?
in a while. Also, after a while. After a period of time, usually a moderately short time. For example, Go ahead, I’ll be along in a while, or After a while we turned off the television and went for a walk. [c.
What does as while mean?
while(Noun) A certain duration of time, a period of time. He lectured for quite a long while. while(Verb) To pass (time) idly. while(Conjunction) During the same time that. He was sleeping while I was singing.