while / when / as

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Soox

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while / when / as

What are the difference between them?

What time should I use "as"? What time should I use "when"?

I was by him when he died. Could I change when into as?

I don't know when I can't exchange them.

Please help me. Thanks
 

emsr2d2

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while / when / as

What are the differences between them?

[STRIKE]What time[/STRIKE] When should I use "as"? [STRIKE]What time[/STRIKE] When should I use "when"?

"I was by him when he died."

Could I change "when" into "as"?

I don't know when I [STRIKE]can't[/STRIKE] can exchange them.

Please help me. Thanks.

In the sentence you quoted, I would say "I was with him when he died".

Otherwise, it is very difficult for us to explain when to use specific prepositions etc because they have so many different uses. If you have other example sentences for us, we might be able to comment.
 

Soox

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Thank you. I'm grateful that you correct the mistakes of my thread.

I have seen some grammar rule that the verb of the clause introduced by "as" must be a non-momentary verb. In other words, the clause introduced by "as" limit a period of time rather than some point of time.

For instance, "when Kate Middleton gave birth to son at 4:24 p.m" is the point of time. In the moment, at 4:24 p.m, prince come into the world. so the clause introduced by when tell us a specific point of time.

But the verb of the "as" clause should mean a period time. Such as, "as I lived in England, I learned to speak English. "I lived in England" is a period of time instead of a point of time.


We must use "when" to introduce, when some clause limits a point of time. We must use "as" when some clause limits a period of time.

Is my comprehension about as and when right???
 
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bhaisahab

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But the verb of the "as" clause should mean a period time. Such as, "As I lived in England, I learned to speak English. "I lived in England" is a period of time instead of a point of time.

In your example "as" means "because", it doesn't refer to a period of time. You could say "I learned English when I lived in England" or "I learned English while (I was) living in England".
 

Raymott

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First, you need to be aware that 'as' has other meanings. "As I lived in England, I learnt English" would normally be read as
"Because I lived in England I learnt English." If you want the other meaning of 'as', you should use "While I lived in England".
Because of these contextual factors, it's impossible to give a simple answer to your question of when to use "as, while, when".

Yes, you seem to have the right idea of 'as' meaning 'while'.
"When Kate Middleton gave birth, the British people celebrated" (A point in time).
"While/As Kate was giving birth, the public waited/were waiting expectantly" (A period of time)
"During the time that Kate was giving birth,
the public waited expectantly" (A period of time)


 

Soox

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Could this forum allow me to send a private massage to somebody? I did not find a button to send PM.


"When Kate Middleton gave birth, the British people celebrated" (A point in time).



Does not "a point in time" equal to "a point of time"?

The correct expression is "a point in time" ??
 

emsr2d2

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Could this forum allow me to send a private message to somebody? I did not find a button to send PM.

I believe you can't send PMs until you have made a certain number of posts (perhaps 10). The PM facility is not to be used for queries about the English language though.




Does not "a point in time" equal to "a point of time"?

Is the correct expression "a point in time"?
Yes, that is the correct expression.

See above. Remember to use only one question mark at the end of a question.
 

bhaisahab

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Could this forum allow me to send a private massage to somebody? I did not find a button to send PM.






Does not "a point in time" equal to "a point of time"?

The correct expression is "a point in time"? Yes.

When you have made ten posts you will be able to send and receive PMs.
 

Soox

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I' not sure that in this thread I could discuss the following issue because it does not relate to my this thread.
If what I'm doing is a serious mistake, please tell me ,and I will follow your advice, correcting it.




But the verb of the "as" clause should mean a period time. Such as, "As I lived in England, I learned to speak English. "I lived in England" is a period of time instead of a point of time.

Thank you, bhaisahab. I appreciate that you spend your value time to pay attentions my question, to reply it, to correct my mistake. And I learned a lot of matters, but I still confuse why is "I learned to speak English."
Writing it, I thought that the "speaking English" is abstract action rather than some concrete act.

To speak English is a motion. But Speaking English is a thing. I want to express that while I lived in England, I did the thing of learning their native language.


I don't know when to use "doing something" and when to use "to do something". Please help me.
 
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