[Grammar] while or where charles' teachers were concerned...

[Oceanlike]

- 'While/Where' Charles' teachers were concerned, there was nothing they could do to help him.

I would use 'Where' but I note that 'While' was used instead in the above sentence.

Are both words interchangeable in this sentence or is my choice of words incorrect?

Thank you!

 

[Matthew Wai]

http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/while_1 Definition#4
I think 'while' in your sentence refers to the above definition, so it could not be replaced with 'where', but I am not a teacher.

 

[Raymott]

I think 'while' in your sentence refers to the above definition, so it could not be replaced with 'where', but I am not a teacher.

That's illogical. Proving that one word is appropriate doesn't imply that all other words are inappropriate.

I'd use "Although, Whereas, Even though ..."

 

[Matthew Wai]

Proving that one word is appropriate doesn't imply that all other words are inappropriate.

I think the definition can prove that 'where' is not among the appropriate words, but I am not a teacher.

 

[Barb_D]

Both words could be used with very different meanings.

 

[Oceanlike]

Many thanks for all your replies :-D

In this case, using 'while" --> 'While Charles' teachers were concerned, there was nothing they could do to help him', should there be a preceding sentence that entail the use of 'while' in this sentence?

What meaning does the sentence convey when 'while' is used?

Piscean was right about my intention in using 'where' --> 'As far as Charles' teachers were concerned, there was nothing they could do to help him".

Appreciate all your teachings!:-D

 

[bhaisahab]

I like, "As far as' Charles' teachers were concerned, there was nothing they could do to help him" or "Although Charles' teachers were concerned, there was nothing they could do to help him" depending on the intended meaning. I wouldn't use "while" or where.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would use "where" in addition to the other suggestions.

 

[Raymott]

I think the definition can prove that 'where' is not among the appropriate words, but I am not a teacher.

I don't see how. You can't look up 'while' and decide that it's an appropriate word for what you want, and then claim that it therefore proves that 'where' is not right. But I'm willing to learn. Where on that page is 'where' ruled out? What are the intermediate steps from finding out that 'while' works to judging that 'where' is inappropriate?