it was while

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was while' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when making a comparison between two events or points in time, which is typically followed by the phrase 'that'. For example: It was while I was studying for my final exams that I decided to take a break and watch a movie.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was while she was singing, softly, to the radio.

The New York Times

"It was while you were in the shower.

The New Yorker

And then it was while shopping for groceries.

The New York Times - Arts

It was while Paisley was manager that Fagan's influence grew.

Independent

It was while she was living by a river that Wood had the idea for Weathering.

Independent

It was while watching Ghostbusters that he decided he wanted to act.

Independent

It was while preparing for a campaign against Persia that he fell ill at Helenopolis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was while the builders were there that I finally saw the inside.

The New York Times

It was while she was in school at the latter that things started to take off.

The New York Times

It was while she was filming it that she decided to give stand-up a go.

Independent

It was while I was getting the bottles that the bomb went off".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was while" to clearly establish a temporal relationship between two events, making sure to use "that" to introduce the second event for clarity.

Common error

Avoid omitting the "that" clause after "it was while", as this can lead to unclear or grammatically incorrect sentences. Always follow "it was while" with the event and "that" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was while" functions as a temporal connector, establishing a relationship between two events that occurred simultaneously or during the same period. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was while" is a versatile phrase used to connect two events that occur concurrently. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and general writing. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to include the "that" clause to introduce the second event. Related phrases like "at the same time that" or "during which time" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis. Steer clear of omitting "that", which is the most common mistake. The wide array of examples confirms its widespread usage and acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the same time that

Directly indicates simultaneity, more explicit and less idiomatic.

while this was happening

Places focus on something happening, a little more descriptive.

as this occurred

More formal and highlights the simultaneity of events.

during which time

Emphasizes the duration of the overlapping event, slightly more formal.

in the midst of

Highlights that something occurred at an active time.

in the process of

Focuses on the ongoing action when something else happened, less specific about time.

during that period

Focuses on a specific duration or span.

as it happened

Highlights the simultaneous occurrence of events, often with an element of chance.

simultaneous to

Indicates that events took place at the exact same time, more formal.

concurrently with

Formal and emphasizes the parallel nature of the events.

FAQs

How can I use "it was while" in a sentence?

Use "it was while" to connect two events happening at the same time. For example, "It was while I was cooking dinner that the phone rang."

What phrases are similar to "it was while"?

Similar phrases include "at the same time that", "during which time", or "in the process of", all indicating that two events occurred concurrently.

Is "it was while" formal or informal?

"It was while" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

Can I begin a sentence with "it was while"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "it was while" is grammatically correct and helps to emphasize the temporal relationship between the two events being described. For example, "It was while walking in the park that I saw a rare bird."