is while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is while" is not correct and usable in written English as it lacks clarity and context.
It may be intended to connect two clauses, but it typically requires additional words to form a complete thought. Example: "The project is progressing well while we await further instructions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rhyming in children's books is, while not essential, important.

The Guardian

And yours is, while we're on the subject?

The New York Times

This is while I'm packing some of my stuff..

The Guardian

(His preferred method is while standing in the stern).

The New York Times - Books

This is while her children go without health insurance.

The New York Times - Tech

Let's leave Albert where he is while we wait".

The New York Times

This is, while promising, a really clunky system.

The Washington Post

This is while the amplifier gain is in bandpass state.

Microelectronics Journal

The claim is while intelligence may be fixed, noncognitive skills are malleable.

Princeton University

The best time to build that confidence is while you are a student.

Cornell University

That is, while it is a mistaken notion, it still has some beneficial effects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "is while" to connect clauses; instead, use more grammatically correct alternatives like "occurs during" or "happens as" to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Don't assume that "while" can directly follow "is" to create a smooth connection between two parts of a sentence. This often results in awkward and grammatically incorrect constructions. Instead, rephrase the sentence to use "while" correctly as a subordinating conjunction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is while" functions as an attempted linking phrase, aiming to connect two clauses by indicating simultaneous events or conditions. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect and requires modification to be used effectively. Many of the examples in Ludwig show a similar pattern of incorrect usage, needing restructuring for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is while" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Although it appears in various sources, including news media and academic texts, its usage often indicates a need for rephrasing to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. More appropriate alternatives include phrases like "occurs during", "happens as", or restructuring the sentence to correctly use "while" as a subordinating conjunction. Given its low frequency and grammatical issues, it's best to opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is happening as

Emphasizes simultaneous occurrence of events.

occurs during

Highlights the period in which something takes place.

takes place when

Focuses on the timing of an event.

is concurrent with

Indicates that two things exist or happen at the same time.

is simultaneous to

Similar to "is concurrent with", but may imply a stronger connection.

exists as

Suggests a state of being during a specific time.

is present when

Highlights the condition of existence during a moment.

is in the process of

Emphasizes the action's ongoing nature.

is underway during

Highlights the progress of the action.

coincides with

Indicates that two things happen at the same time by chance.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "is while" in a sentence?

Replace "is while" with phrases like "occurs during", "happens as", or rephrase the sentence to use "while" correctly as a subordinating conjunction. For example, instead of "The problem is while we're testing", try "The problem occurs during testing" or "The problem happens as we are testing".

What are some better alternatives to "is while"?

Consider using phrases such as "is happening as", "occurs during", or "takes place when". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "is while" grammatically correct?

No, "is while" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It requires additional words or a rephrasing of the sentence to form a coherent thought. Using alternatives will improve clarity and correctness.

When can I use "while" correctly in a sentence?

"While" is correctly used as a subordinating conjunction to indicate simultaneous actions or to introduce a contrast. For example: "He was sleeping while I was working", or "While the task is challenging, it is also rewarding".