When, while, whilst

[tufguy]

Hi guys,

What is the difference between "When", "While" and "Whilst"? I tried searching on net but I am still confused.

 

[Tarheel]

I was distracted by girls in bikinis while I was on the computer. What was the question? ;-)

I'll do it when I have time to get to it. Meanwhile, I'm looking at those girls in bikinis. ;-)

(I don't think I've ever heard anybody use "whilst" in my entire life.)



Do those examples help you to see the difference between when and while?

 

[Rover_KE]

(I don't think I've ever heard anybody use "whilst" in my entire life.)

You should come to the UK, Tarheel.

 

[BobK]

...

(I don't think I've ever heard anybody use "whilst" in my entire life.)

...

Well I have, but it's very British, quite archaic, and no different in meaning from 'while'.

Incidentally, there are a few other cases of -st being appended to an adverb with no change of meaning. When I was training to be an altar-boy I was told 'There's nothing in the Hail Mary about "a monk swimming"' [one such pair is among/amongst] ;-)

b

 

[Rover_KE]

Also unbeknown/unbeknownst.

 

[emsr2d2]

Not heard? Archaic? I'm shocked. I use it frequently and my flatmate employs it regularly in his blog posts (which I proofread and edit).

"While" refers to a time period.
"Whilst" can be used to mean "although".

While you were on the phone, I cooked dinner.
Whilst I like prawns for dinner, you prefer salmon.

She wrote most of a novel while travelling on the bus to work.
She writes novels, whilst I write poetry.

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/while#while_1

 

[MikeNewYork]

"While" can be used for "although" in AmE.

 

[BobK]

Also unbeknown/unbeknownst.

I was going to mention that one, but didn't feel it was appropriate here; I guess I should cultivate a higher expectation of my readers!

I think there was once a similar pairing between 'again' and 'against' (which now have totally distinct meanings). I know there's still a dialectal 'agin' - /ǝgɪn/ - meaning 'against'; I've heard people say 'I'm agin it'.

b

 

[tufguy]

When is used when we talk about two long periods and when is used for short period incidents. Am I right?

 

[MikeNewYork]

You wrote "when" both times. How would one choose?