Whilst

USAGE SUMMARY

"whilst" is a valid and commonly used word in written English.
It is a formal way of saying "while" as a conjunction, usually used in British English. Example sentence: "Whilst I was walking home yesterday, I noticed some unusual lights in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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The Guardian

Confidence could return to the economy and banking system, whilst debt as a proportion of GDP is slashed from more than 30% to just over 3% by 2014.

The Guardian

"The current alternatives are not realistic options – little or no influence and the obligation to comply with EU principles whilst still paying most of the costs.

The Guardian - Business

"But the sad reality is that many people of this age may be struggling to hold down a job, support a family, and deal with the emotional impact of cancer whilst also going though treatment … "Macmillan is urgently calling on the new government to commit to ensuring that every person with cancer receives an assessment of their emotional, physical, spiritual and social needs.

The Guardian

Whilst in cities like Sheffield, we had to fight the Lib Dems, we have got to actually win over Tory supporters and non-voters.

The Guardian

This is what an MoD spokesman said: Whilst serving as a staff officer with Headquarters Land Forces, Major Jarvis pioneered an innovative low technical solution that has helped protect soldiers from the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

The Guardian

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

"Whilst oxytocin is important for passive behaviours [such as hugging], vasopressin is part of the active coping system," Carter says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This also reflects the Guardian brand, which whilst serious at times is also not afraid to be fun and playful.

The Guardian

And so it feels like a wonderful adventure to be up and about, whilst everyone is asleep and missing one of Mother Nature's greatest light shows.

The Guardian

"The office is monitoring coverage, and whilst the law officers do not think the coverage they have seen requires action for contempt of court, we do urge everyone to read and adhere to the media advisory".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When constructing sentences with "whilst", ensure a clear connection between the two clauses being joined.

Common error

Avoid using "whilst" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound pretentious or unnatural. "While" is a more versatile and commonly accepted alternative in these scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "whilst" is as a subordinating conjunction. It connects two clauses, indicating that the action in one clause occurs at the same time as, or in contrast to, the action in the other. This is reflected in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whilst" functions as a formal conjunction, predominantly used in British English, similar to "while". Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and formal business contexts. Although interchangeable with "while" in many instances, "whilst" adds a layer of sophistication and formality to writing. When choosing between "whilst" and "while", consider the context and audience to maintain an appropriate tone. Overusing "whilst" in informal settings can sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

While

A more common and less formal synonym.

Although

Emphasizes contrast rather than simultaneity.

Even though

Similar to 'although' but slightly stronger in emphasizing the contrast.

As

Can indicate simultaneity, but is more versatile and context-dependent.

During

Refers specifically to the period of time when something happens.

Simultaneously

Highlights the fact that two things happen at the same time.

At the same time that

More verbose way to express simultaneity.

Notwithstanding

A more formal and legalistic way of saying "despite".

In spite of

Expresses contrast despite something else.

Despite the fact that

A more emphatic version of "despite".

FAQs

How is "whilst" used in a sentence?

"Whilst" functions as a conjunction to connect two related clauses, often indicating simultaneity or contrast. For example, "Whilst I agree with you, I have some reservations".

What can I say instead of "whilst"?

Alternatives to "whilst" include "while", "although", or "even though", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "whilst" or "while"?

Both "whilst" and "while" are correct. "Whilst" is considered more formal and is primarily used in British English, while "while" is more common and accepted in broader contexts.

What's the difference between "whilst" and "whereas"?

"Whilst" indicates simultaneity or contrast, similar to "while", but is more formal. "Whereas" is used to make a direct comparison or contrast between two distinct facts or situations.