While Vs When – What’s the difference? Spoken English lesson to speak fluently & Confidently

👉 Check the latest Video - American Idioms I love to use the most?

While Vs When – What’s the difference? Spoken English lesson to speak fluently & Confidently

An English learning student had slight trouble with understanding the major difference between the two words “while” and “when”. So I made this Spoken English lesson because I know that many of you who are learning to speak fluent English face a similar challenge. Firstly, let me make it very simple by saying that both these words are used when you are talking about two actions that happen at the exact same time.

Learn English with Let’s Talk Academy’s YouTube channel. Subscribe to our channel and get daily free English lessons related to spoken English conversation, English Grammar, Vocabulary, Improving English pronunciation, Clearing the IELTS exam with a great score and much more topics to improve your English speaking skills. Subscribe and stay tuned.

Watch other lessons –

Asking for time off from your boss –

Quick & Easy ways to learn English –

How to Reassure & Encourage someone?

Visit our website –

Like us on FaceBook

While
1) When two continuous actions are happening at the same time we will use “while”
Eg: I am teaching while my brother is out playing football.
When
1) When two single actions happen at the same time or one action happens right after the other we used “when”
Eg: He called me when I got home
Eg: When I ate, I felt better.
2) Ages and periods of life
Eg: I used to walk a lot when I was young
Eg: I graduated when I was 21.
3) Used as a question (to know the time)
Eg: When do we leave from here?

But what happens when we have a continuous action and a single action in the same sentence. Do we use “while” or “when”? Now that’s a tricky question. But I’ll make it very simple and clear for you.
Eg: He got into a fight while we were shopping.
In this case, you can use both “while” or “when” mainly because the single action comes before the continuous action
But if we change the sentence around we say
Eg: We were shopping when he got into a fight. (Single action comes after the continuous action)

[parveenbegum]

I was cooking while/ when they are watching movie

I got to market when he was out of home

It was raining when we boarded on the plane

While it was raining, we boarded on the plane

Thanks for such an interesting class. Now I am clear about the difference and correct use of while and when. Mam, could you please make a video on the use of "Whist".?

[thomscoolify]

I never realize this before, I just choose that is comfort for me to say. (Grin)
Thank you

[sowmyaanand]

1.She was dancing when I came home 2. I'll call you while going home 3. When I was child I used to go to dance classes

[saravanans-lnyz]

I am so glad to have you as a tutor of this day. Thank you teacher.

[shariffrsa]

She is the best of the best among the rest..Well done . Perfectly spoken English .

[GizemAksut]

thanks for the video, it's very useful. :) I have few examples:

I'm doing my new task while my husband is sleeping.

I came here when he left the building. *** I fall asleep when Shoelia called me on the phone.

I quit that job when I was 26.

When do you look for a new job?

My son played basketball while I am talking with my friend.

I am talking with my friend when my son played basketball.

[mnbvcxmnb]

You are a great teacher for me. thank u so much for this lesson.

[InteractiveEng]

GREAT LESSON! 👍 These two words are commonly confused, especially when dealing with adverb clauses. 😉

[shusilsingh]

Thank you very much. The difference has bothered me for quite a while. Now I am clear.

[balikakamble]

Thank you so much ceema mam.
This lesson is really so useful for me.
Thank you so much for sharing this video.

[enochbiney]

this teachings are very precious to me. am now correcting my mistakes.

[Thea-glnx]

You are my favorite teacher in this channel. I like your talking speed and you explain very clear.

[xenatsukuda]

Thank you so much, I love the way you explain the rules.

[yusufayazcabiroglu]

I have watched all of the Turkish (my mother tongue) videos but I didn't understand at all. Although this video is English, I understood when/while. Thank you very much 😊

[nikitabanerjee]

thanks Ma'am for the lesson this really made me understand the difference. can you also make videos on "whatsoever", "rather" and "seldom". I really don't know how to use these words in a sentence.

[hossain]

as far as "both single n double actions in a sentence" is concerned, the easiest way to remember is that the pronoun "While" always precedes "continuous tense" whereas "when" precedes a single action. If u hd put it that way, it'd hv been much easier. "when" has a connotation of "happening afterwards". But there are other usages.

[hagebuttung]

this was really helpful. Thank you for making this video

[mamadoulaminebah]

greta teachers I'm proud of you I wish you long life I am happy to join your video online

[ranjithmkumar]

Recently, I had this conversation where I wanted to use one continuous action and single action. And I was in a dilemma, whether I was right or not. Now you have have cleared that doubt. Thanks.

[retr_tuv]

You perfect...dont stop you only my teacher in online..