What kind of word is while?
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What kind of word is while?
While is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker’s regional dialect.
Where do we use while?
We can use while or as to talk about two longer events or activities happening at the same time. We can use either simple or continuous verb forms: We spent long evenings talking in my sitting-room while he played the music he had chosen and explained his ideas.
How do we use while?
We use both when and while as subordinating conjunctions to introduce adverbial clauses of time. They mean during the time that and indicate that something is or was happening when something else occurred: The prisoners escaped when / while the prison warders were eating their lunch.
What’s the difference between when and while?
So, both while and when are used when two things happen at the same time, but we tend to use while with two continuous actions and when with two single actions.
Can we use when with past continuous?
Past continuous tense can be used when describing an unfinished action that was interrupted by another action. The action in the past started before the other action and continued after for a short period of time.
When and while are examples of Subordinators?
Another function of subordinating conjunctions is to show a relationship between two clauses involving a transition of time or place. Some examples of such subordinating conjunctions are once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after.
What are some common Subordinators?
Common Subordinators
| Subordinator | Relationship/Meaning |
|---|---|
| although, even though, though, whereas, while | contrast |
| since, because | cause/effect |
| if, unless | condition |
| after, as soon as, before, whenever, when, until | time |
How do you identify subordinating conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions introduce the dependent (or subordinate) clause in a complex sentence. The dependent clause tells you about the other part of the sentence and cannot stand alone. Some common subordinating conjunctions are after, before, as, while, until, because, since, unless, although, and if.
What are examples of subordinate clause?
Examples of Subordinate Clauses:
- Because I said so (I=subject; said=verb)
- When I was five (I=subject; was=verb)
- Since it will rain today (it=subject; will rain=verb)
- Who is my best friend (not written as a question-who=subject; is=verb)
- If you pass the test (you=subject; pass=verb)
How do you identify a subordinate clause in a sentence?
A subordinate clause, like an independent clause, has a subject and a verb, but unlike an independent clause, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Subordinate clauses begin with certain words or short phrases called subordinating words (also known as dependent words, or subordinating/subordinate conjunctions).
How do you use subordinate clause in a sentence?
For example, in the sentence ‘I played out until it went dark’, the phrase ‘until it went dark’ is the subordinate clause because it requires additional information in order to make sense. Subordinate clauses contain a subject noun and a verb.
What words start a subordinate clause?
Subordinate clauses will often begin with subordinating conjunctions, which are words that link dependent clauses to independent clauses, such as for, as, since, therefore, hence, consequently, though, due to, provided that, because, unless, once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after.
How do you identify a main clause and a subordinate clause in a sentence?
Main clauses have a subject and verb and can stand on their own. Subordinate clauses begin with a conjunction and therefore cannot stand on their own. They leave the reader thinking “yes…and then?”
What is an embedded sentence?
Embedded Sentences Embedded phrases or clauses can be found at the beginning or end of a sentence. They can also be within the sentence (embed- ded). For instance, the following two sentences are simple sentences because they contain only one main verb: • The toy is on sale.
What is an embedded question example?
The embedded question is a noun clause and can be used in a similar way to a noun. For example, we can use it as the subject or the object of the main clause. Embedded question in a statement: I don’t know where she works. (Here ‘where she works’ is the object.)
How do you use embedded in a sentence?
- The thorn was embedded in her thumb.
- They embedded the pilings deep into the subsoil.
- The scene was embedded in his memory.
- The arrow embedded itself in the wall.
- The pole was embedded in cement.
- A piece of glass was embedded in her hand.
- Thick cotton padding embedded the precious vase in its box.
