How to Use ‘Whilst’ and ‘When’: An Expert Guide

When it comes to the words “whilst” and “while,” it can be confusing to know when to use them.

These two words have the same meaning, but they are used differently in American English and British English.

In British English, “whilst” is used more commonly than “while.” It is considered a conjunction, and it is used to connect two clauses or phrases to describe events that are happening at the same time. For example, “Whilst I was cooking dinner, my husband was setting the table.”

On the other hand, in American English, “while” is used more commonly than “whilst.” It is also a conjunction, and it is used to connect two clauses or phrases to describe events that are happening at the same time. For example, “While I was cooking dinner, my husband was setting the table.”

Differentiating ‘When’ and ‘Whilst’

When it comes to using ‘when’ and ‘whilst’, it is important to understand the difference between the two. While they are both conjunctions that can be used to connect two clauses or phrases, they can be used in different contexts.

‘When’ is used to refer to a specific point in time or a moment in the past or future. For example, “I will call you when I arrive home.” In this sentence, ‘when’ is used to indicate a specific point in time – when the speaker arrives home.

‘Whilst’, on the other hand, is used to refer to a period of time or duration. For example, “Whilst I was studying, my roommate was watching TV.” In this sentence, ‘whilst’ is used to indicate a period of time – while the speaker was studying.

In terms of contrast, both ‘when’ and ‘whilst’ can be used to contrast two situations. For example, “When I was a child, I used to hate broccoli. Now, whilst I still don’t love it, I will eat it if it’s cooked well.” In this sentence, both ‘when’ and ‘whilst’ are used to contrast the speaker’s feelings about broccoli as a child versus now.

Grammatical Role and Context

When it comes to using “whilst” and “when,” it’s crucial to understand their grammatical roles and the context in which they are used. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• “Whilst” and “when” are both subordinating conjunctions, which means they are used to connect two clauses where one clause is dependent on the other.
• “Whilst” is more commonly used in British English, while “when” is more commonly used in American English. However, both are considered correct and can be used interchangeably in many cases.
• The choice between “whilst” and “when” often depends on the context in which they are used. For example, “whilst” is often used to emphasize a contrast between two actions or events that are happening at the same time, while “when” is often used to indicate a specific point in time or a sequence of events.

Here are some examples of how “whilst” and “when” can be used in different contexts:

• “Whilst I was cooking dinner, my kids were playing in the living room.” In this sentence, “whilst” is used to indicate that two actions were happening at the same time.
• “I’ll call you when I get home.” In this sentence, “when” is used to indicate a specific point in time.
• “He always sings whilst he’s doing the dishes.” In this sentence, “whilst” is used to indicate that two actions are happening simultaneously.
• “When I was in college, I studied abroad in Spain.” In this sentence, “when” is used to indicate a specific period of time.

Interchangeability and Contrast

When it comes to using “whilst” and “when,” you may wonder if they are interchangeable. The answer is yes, they can be used interchangeably in some cases. However, there are also situations where one may be more appropriate than the other.

Both “whilst” and “when” can be used to indicate “during the time that” something else is happening. For example, you could say “I was studying whilst my roommate was watching TV” or “I was studying when my roommate was watching TV.” In this case, both words are interchangeable.

Another way to use “whilst” is to indicate that two things are happening “at the same time as” each other. For example, “I was cooking whilst listening to music” or “I was cooking when listening to music.” Again, both words can be used interchangeably.

“Whilst” is often used to indicate “contrast” with something else. For example, “I like to exercise whilst my sister prefers to watch TV” or “I like to exercise when my sister prefers to watch TV.” In this case, using “when” doesn’t convey the same sense of contrast as using “whilst.”

It’s also worth noting that “whilst” has some synonyms that can be used in its place, such as “while,” “during,” “as,” and “whereas.” Using these synonyms can help you avoid overusing “whilst” in your writing.

Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

When it comes to using “whilst” and “when,” there are some common mistakes and misunderstandings that people often make. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Using “whilst” instead of “while” unnecessarily: Whilst and while are interchangeable, but using “whilst” can come across as overly formal or pretentious in some contexts. In general, it’s best to use “while” unless you have a specific reason to use “whilst” (such as maintaining a consistent tone or style throughout a piece of writing).
• Using “when” instead of “whilst” unnecessarily: Similarly, using “when” instead of “whilst” can sometimes make your writing sound less formal or sophisticated than you intended. If you’re trying to convey a sense of formality or precision, “whilst” might be a better choice.
• Misusing “whilst” and “when” as conjunctions: Whilst and when are not interchangeable as conjunctions. “Whilst” is used to indicate a contrast or opposition (e.g. “Whilst I enjoy football, my brother prefers basketball”), while “when” is used to indicate a specific point in time (e.g. “I was reading a book when the phone rang”).
• Assuming that “whilst” is always British and “when” is always American: While it’s true that “whilst” is more commonly used in British English and “when” is more commonly used in American English, both words are used in both varieties of English. Don’t assume that using “whilst” automatically makes you sound British, or that using “when” automatically makes you sound American.

While ‘when’ and ‘whilst’ are both conjunctions that can be used to connect two clauses or phrases, they are used in different contexts. ‘When’ is used to refer to a specific point in time, while ‘whilst’ is used to refer to a period of time. Keep these tips in mind when deciding which word to use in your writing.