WHEN VS. WHILE 2. __________ I heard the doorbell, I went to the door.
3. __________ Jo was washing her hair, I did my homework.
'When' and 'while' are both used to show two actions that are happening at
the same time. However, there is a small distinction that requires your
attention.
'When' is used to express two single actions that happen simultaneously.
'While' is used to express two continuous actions that happen
simultaneously.
If you pay close attention, you can see that 'when' and 'while' both express a
condition and its results.
 She was mad at me when I broke her favorite photo frame.
 I was putting away the dishes while my friend was doing the
laundry.
What would happen if we have two actions but one is single action and the
other is continuous. In this case, we can use both. Watch:
 He knocked on the door when I was sleeping.
 He knocked on the door while I was sleeping.
Now if the subordinating conjunction is placed before the single action, we
must use 'when.'
 I was sleeping when he knocked on the door.
 I was sleeping while he knocked on the door.
(subordinating conjunction: kata penghubung)
Now, do the exercise. Write when or while!
1. I was having lunch _________ James arrived.
4. ___________ I buy the bread, you can go to the butcher's.
5. I was at the baker's __________ I met Jo.
6. The customer was being helped by the salesman _________ the thief
came into the store.
7. __________ you saw Keith, was he with Jo?
8. I was in the shop ________ someone stole my bag.
9. I hurt my back ________ I tried to lift the piano.
10. __________ we were standing outside the cinema, someone picked my
pocket.
11. _________ Mrs. Scott came back to her hotel, she called the elevator.
12. The mouse was running across the room _________ the cat saw it.
13. The poor mouse panicked _________she saw the cat.
14. The cat also ran faster________ he saw the mouse go faster.
15. My mother was washing the dishes _________ my brother left home.
16. The baby began to cry __________ she started to watch TV.
17. Her daughter was dancing ___________ she was taking a picture.
18. She was going to sleep ___________ she heard a terrible scream.
19. __________ we were sitting in the park, we were watching some
beautiful cats.
20. Her younger son fell off the ladder ___________ he was painting his
room.
21. What were you doing __________ you saw that wild animal?
22. Her brother was sorting the laundry __________ she finished her
homework.
23. She was cleaning the house __________ her husband went to the
grocery store.
24. _________ I was speaking to my sister, the taxi driver arrived.
25. Her son broke his leg _______ he was playing football.
26. She was rinsing her hair __________ her husband was ironing.