while committing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while committing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions that occur simultaneously with the act of committing something, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "He was apprehended while committing the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There was an on the record commitment from him to serve every day of a second term, while committing not to serve a third.

BBC

Congress had derided Mr. Oynes while committing the greater mistake.

The New York Times

This number includes only those shot while committing a crime.

The Economist

Xavier Sabata borders panto baddy as Polinesso, stropping and scheming while committing sexual abuse.

The Guardian - Music

A flu-weakened Marcus Hatten had 15 while committing 10 turnovers.

The New York Times - Sports

The third, the unlawful use of a firearm while committing a murder, does not.

The New York Times

The young man my girlfriend had identified was arrested while committing another robbery.

The New York Times

My host country is certainly not unique in attracting expatriate doctors while committing human rights violations.

The Guardian

The Tigers shot just 25.8percentt in the first half while committing 13 turnovers.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of them killed someone they knew, or while committing another crime, like a robbery.

The New York Times

It's impossible to be in the midst of an anarchic frenzy while committing to 18.9% APR.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while committing", ensure the simultaneous actions are clearly linked and that the context provides sufficient clarity regarding the act being committed.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "while committing" close to the subject performing the action. Incorrect: "The evidence was found while committing the investigation." Correct: "The investigator found the evidence while committing the investigation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while committing" functions as a gerund phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a simultaneous action. This is evident from Ludwig, where it frequently appears describing actions undertaken concurrently with other events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Sports

14%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while committing" is a gerund phrase used to describe actions happening simultaneously. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and very frequent usage across varied contexts, most prominently in News & Media. It is generally considered neutral, but its formality can increase based on the surrounding vocabulary. Pay attention to proper placement to avoid misplaced modifiers. Alternatives like "during commission of" offer more formal options. Remember, as highlighted by Ludwig, the specific act being committed should be clear and accurate to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during commission of

Replaces "while committing" with a more formal and legalistic tone.

in the process of committing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the act.

in the act of committing

Emphasizes the action as it is happening.

simultaneously committing

Explicitly states the simultaneous nature of the actions.

as they are committing

Adds a continuous aspect to the action, highlighting that it's in progress.

as they commit

Changes the structure to a clause, focusing on the actors and their simultaneous action.

at the time of commission

Focuses on the specific moment the act is committed.

whilst perpetrating

Uses a more formal synonym for 'committing'.

during the perpetration of

A highly formal, almost archaic alternative.

while engaged in

Replaces "committing" with a more general term for participation.

FAQs

How can I use "while committing" in a sentence?

Use "while committing" to describe an action that occurs simultaneously with another, often negative, action. For example, "He was arrested "while committing" the robbery".

What are some alternatives to "while committing"?

Alternatives include "during commission of", "in the act of committing", or "as they commit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "during commission of" instead of "while committing"?

Yes, "during commission of" is generally considered more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts, whereas "while committing" is more neutral.

How does the choice of words after "while committing" affect the meaning of a sentence?

The words following "while committing" define the specific act being performed. Ensure that the act is accurately and clearly described to avoid misinterpretation. For example, ""while committing" fraud" carries a different meaning than ""while committing" a crime".