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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
while I'm working
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
as I work
during working hours
while at work
during work
at work
while on the job
in the middle of working
when on shift
when at my job
during work hours
during my employment
in the course of my work
while working
on the job
at my workplace
while on duty
in a professional setting
during my workday
shift swap
shift exchange
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
How about this from Bo Jackson to The King of the Dweebe, Donut Dan: "Don't mess with me while I'm working...Don't even look at me while I'm working". From Bo Light '96, "While all of these people have disappeared from the ranks of the NBA [see last week's "Where Are They Now?"], one has not faded out of existence altogether.
I still hum hymns while I'm working.
News & Media
I sometimes play it while I'm working.
News & Media
I like to listen to jazz while I'm working.
News & Media
And I always have music playing while I'm working.
News & Media
While I'm working, I like to listen to music.
News & Media
MUSIC Sometimes — it varies — I listen to music while I'm working.
News & Media
While I'm working out, I listen to jazz or oldies on the iPod.
News & Media
"I didn't want to turn my back on customers while I'm working," Serpico explained.
News & Media
I work 12 hours… My husband is a mother and father while I'm working with Madame.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
But I often get surprising and very sharp interpretations of drafts I show to my friends—fellow poets while I'm working on them.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
The phrase is excellent for setting boundaries or describing habits in first-person narratives and interviews.
Common error
Do not say "during I'm working". The word "during" is a preposition and must be followed by a noun or noun phrase like "during work" or "during my shift". "While" is a conjunction that correctly introduces a full clause with a subject and verb.
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "while I'm working" functions as a temporal subordinate clause. It uses the subordinating conjunction "while" to link a secondary action or state to the main activity of working. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is most often used to modify the main verb of the sentence, providing a duration within which another event occurs.
Frequent in
News & Media
85%
Academia
8%
Formal & Business
4%
Less common in
Science
2%
Wiki
0.5%
Social Media
0.5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "while I'm working" is a highly reliable and versatile temporal marker in English. Ludwig AI shows that it is frequently used by professional writers to provide necessary context for a person's state or actions during their tasks. It effectively bridges the gap between personal narrative and professional reporting. While more formal variations like "during the course of my work" exist, they lack the directness and natural flow of the original phrase. Writers should feel confident using it across most media types, ensuring only that they distinguish it clearly from preposition-based alternatives like during work.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
as I work
Uses a different conjunction for a slightly more dynamic feel.
during my working hours
More formal and specific about the time frame.
whilst I am working
Uses the British English variant and removes the contraction.
at work
A concise prepositional phrase indicating state rather than continuous action.
while on the job
A more idiomatic or colloquial way to refer to professional activity.
during work
Simplifies the clause into a prepositional phrase with a noun.
in the middle of working
Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the task, often implying potential interruption.
while I am at it
Informal and implies doing something secondary while busy with a main task.
whilst at work
A formal, predominantly British construction omitting the subject and auxiliary verb.
as I am engaged in work
Highly formal and verbose, suitable for technical or legal contexts.
FAQs
How to use while I'm working in a sentence?
You can use it at the beginning or end of a sentence to provide context, for example: "I usually listen to podcasts "while I'm working"" or "While I'm working, I prefer to stay focused."
What can I say instead of while I'm working?
Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "as I work", "during working hours", or "while at work".
Which is correct, while I'm working or while I work?
Both are correct. ""while I'm working"" uses the continuous aspect to emphasize the ongoing process, whereas "while I work" is slightly more general or habitual.
What's the difference between while I'm working and during work?
""while I'm working"" is a clause that focuses on the action of working, while "during work" is a prepositional phrase that treats work as a time period or event.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested