Usage of while and when

[Mervat]

hi,
I want to use the right tens with these words. I realy get confused to choose between them in a grammar sheet.would you help me, please?

[Cerberus™]

These conjunctions do not have fixed tenses, they could be used with several different tenses. Perhaps you could provide an example.

[HamburgEnglish]

When is a fixed point in time. It is used to define a fixed point such as "when we arrived, when we arrive". While can be thought of as meaning "during".

Look at this ...

While she was cooking (during this process), the doorbell rang (this fixed point perception happened)

Let's reverse it ...

When the doorbell rang (now a fixed point in time), she was cooking.

Both sentences can also be reversed ...

The doorbell rang, while she was cooking (during this process)
She was cooking, when the doorbell rang (now a fixed point in time)

Although not a complete explanation, this should give you a start on the theme and help you later to greater understanding of "when and while"

Rob
http://www.hamburg.english.de