[Grammar] What are the differences of "whereas", "although", and "while"?

[Ikuko]

What are the differences of "whereas", "although", and "while"?

Hello,

I'm teaching English at a Japanese college. As I'm a Japanese English teacher, I sometimes have questions about English usages myself. Can I say "Whereas the health benefits of drinking tea are widely accepted, the possible benefits of drinking coffee are still being debated"? Should I use "Although" or "While" instead of "Whereas"? What are the differences of "Whereas", "although", and "while"?

Ikuko

 

[andrewg927]

Re: What are the differences of "whereas", "although", and "while"?

They are all very similar. However, I would say "while" sometimes has a temporal component to it (it technically means "at the same time") while "although" and "whereas" do not. I said sometimes because they are interchangeable in most cases. In cases where it is confusing to use while (raising the question of whether the two things are different in fundamental characteristics or they are different when compared at the same time), it is better to use "although" instead.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: What are the differences of "whereas", "although", and "while"?

I'd avoid "whereas". It's rarely used except in formal, legalistic language. Use "although" or "while" (or, I believe, whilst in British English) instead.

 

[jutfrank]

Re: What are the differences of "whereas", "although", and "while"?

These three words have different uses, although there is often some crossover.

whereas is used to show a simple, direct contrast. I drink wine whereas my wife drinks beer.

while can be used to contrast two things as they stand at a point in time.

although has a wider range of uses. It can be used to show that something is surprising or unexpected. As in the first sentence of this post, it can also make a kind of concession.