Whereas vs While
Whereas and While are two words that are often confused due to the close similarity in their meanings. At the same time it should be known that they are two words that are to be used differently.
Whereas and while are used to compare two items or facts. The word ‘whereas’ is used in the sense of ‘on the other hand’ as in the sentences:
1. It is a small book whereas the other one is a big one.
2. Your house is a big one whereas my house is a small one.
In these sentences the word ‘whereas’ is used in the sense of ‘on the other hand’ and the sentences would mean ‘it is a small book; on the other hand the other one is a big one,’ ‘your house is a big one; on the other hand my house is a small one’.
‘While ‘ can be used in the same sentences in the sense of ‘at the same time.’
The conjuction ‘while’ is also used in the sense of ‘during the time’ or used in the sense of ‘ although’ or ‘in spite of.’
The word ‘while’ is used in the sense of ‘in spite of’ in the sentences:
1. We continued to play cricket while it rained.
2. I scored poor marks while I attended special classes.
If you take the first sentence the word ‘while’ is used in the sense of ‘in spite of’ and hence the meaning of the sentence would be ‘we continued to play cricket in spite of rain’.
The word ‘while’ is used in the sense of ‘during the time’ in the sentence:
While I was entering the station the train left.
It is important to note that both the words ‘whereas’ and ‘while’ are used as conjunctions. ‘While’ is also used as a noun in the sense of ‘period of time’ as in the sentences: ‘I didn’t see her for a while,’ ‘ I didn’t hear from you for quite a while.’ Whereas’ is commonly used in the beginning of a sentence in legal documents as a conditional statement. These are the important differences between the two words, whereas and while and the differences should be carefully studied.