Post date: Mar 7, 2014 11:50:54 AM
Whereas and while are two words that are often confused because of the close similarity in their meaning. At the same time it should be known that they are two words that should be used differently.
They are used to compare two items or facts. The word ‘whereas’ used to mean ‘on the other hand’ as in the sentences:
It is a little book whereas the other is a big one.
I failed in subject while I attended the special classes.
The Rule: ‘While’ can be used to mean ‘during the time that,’ and it can be used to mean ‘whereas.’
In the former case, while is not preceded by a comma.
In the latter case, while must be preceded by a comma.
Example 1: I can’t study while my relatives are in town.
Example 2: The Blue Ridge Mountain is beautiful, while the Rockies are grand.
If you choose to use ‘while’ to mean ‘whereas,’ it’s important to be careful in your punctuation.
‘While’ should be reserved to show that two or more events occur at the same time. In the following sentence, the two events are occurring simultaneously.
Measurements were taken while the specimen was rotating in the rig.
She was drawing a picture while the teacher was asking her question.
He will prepare breakfast while you’re having a shower.
‘While’ used in same sentence which means ‘at same time’ word ‘whereas’ used to mean ‘on other hand’
For comparisons and contrasts, ‘whereas’ and ‘although’ should be used instead of ‘while.’
He likes music whereas his roommate likes dancing.
The doctor did the surgery whereas the nurse assisted him.
Some couples argue all the time whereas the others quite understanding.
She went to medical school whereas her friend went to law school.
See this example: Some Couple both have to hold a job nowadays, where only one did so in the past.
The conjunction whereas introduces something (the fact that only one couple had to work in the past) that is in contrast with something in the main clause (that now couples, both have to work)
Notice that whereas functions grammatically in the same way that although or while would. It’s preceded by a comma, because it introduces a separate dependent clause. Also notice that it’s not preceded by and or but. And would be unnecessary, and but would be unwanted.
‘While’ can also be uses as noun in the sense of ’period of time’ like in the sentences:
I didn’t meet her for a while.
I didn’t hear from my friend for quite a while.
‘Whereas’ is usually used in the start of a sentence such as in legal documents as conditional statement.
Recap:
While should be used when two or more things are occurring simultaneously.
While Henry went into the bank Sue stayed in the car.
While the cat was away the rat slept on the bed.
Whereas should be used for a time comparison.
Henry went into the bank, whereas Sue stayed in the car.
Shiraz ate pita bread, whereas Azhar had pilaf.
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