Time relationships

Question

what is different between while and when?when we can use unti and before?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous~~what is different~~ What is the difference between while and when?

That question is too broad to answer in any detail, so the following only skims the surface of an explanation. It is not completely accurate in every way, nor is it complete, but it gives you something basic to consider as a first attempt to see the difference.

while introduces situations that are (or were) on-going. Therefore, while is often paired with a continuous tense.
when introduces situations that are completed events. Therefore, when is often paired with a non-continuous tense.

While I was washing the dishes, the phone rang.
I was washing the dishes when the phone rang.

While Mary and Joan were playing tennis, Mark fell and broke his arm.
Mary and Joan were playing tennis when Mark fell and broke his arm.

While Paul was looking for his shoes, the cat ate the tuna.
Paul was looking for his shoes when the cat ate the tuna.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous~~when~~ When we can use ~~unti~~ until and before?

until is the opposite of since. before is the opposite of after.

Post some sentences with these words, and we'll take a look at them.

CJ

Time relationships

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