while listening

USAGE SUMMARY

'while listening' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverbial phrase that is used to describe an action that is happening at the same time as another specified action. For example, "I studied for my test while listening to music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Listeners are seen as using all of these interactively and purposefully while listening.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Or masturbating while listening to Gary Barlow.

Independent

Driving, while listening to music.

The Guardian - Music

I tried walking while listening to music.

The Guardian - Tech

Audiences can enjoy drinks while listening.

The New York Times

Nine minutes munching custard creams while listening to "PopMaster"?

Independent

Mr. Gelfand can do crosswords while listening to a lecture.

The New York Times

Their children instant-message friends while listening to music.

The New York Times - Tech

Watch the advert while listening to Hillary Clinton's concession speech.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I also tried while listening to audiobooks — also without success.

The Guardian - Tech

"You levitated while listening to my little piece.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while listening" to connect actions that naturally occur together to create a sense of flow and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid separating "while listening" from the action it modifies. For example, instead of "I ate dinner, while listening to music, in the living room", write "While listening to music, I ate dinner in the living room" to clearly link the listening to the eating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while listening" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs. It specifies that something happens concurrently with the act of listening. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while listening" serves as a versatile adverbial phrase, commonly used to describe simultaneous actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. To ensure clarity, keep the phrase close to the action it modifies, and avoid misplaced modifiers. The examples provided showcase the breadth of its application, reinforcing its role in connecting related events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as you listen

Replaces "while" with "as", focusing on the immediate moment of listening.

during listening

Uses a gerund phrase to describe the time frame of listening.

whilst hearing

Substitutes "while" with its synonym "whilst" and "listening" with "hearing", providing a slightly more formal tone.

as listening occurs

Formal phrasing replacing "while" with "as" and rephrasing "listening" in a more passive voice construction.

concurrently hearing

Emphasizes the simultaneous nature of the actions with the adverb "concurrently".

at the same time as listening

More verbose, emphasizing simultaneity using a longer prepositional phrase.

listening in parallel

Implies that the listening is happening alongside another activity.

upon hearing

Indicates that something happens immediately after the act of listening commences.

during auditory input

Uses more technical terms to describe the act of listening.

in the process of listening

Focuses on listening as an ongoing process.

FAQs

How do you use "while listening" in a sentence?

Use "while listening" to indicate that an action is happening at the same time as someone is listening. For instance, "I take notes "while listening" to the lecture" shows that note-taking and listening are simultaneous.

What can I say instead of "while listening"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "as you listen", "during listening", or "whilst hearing", which provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "while listening"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "while listening" is grammatically correct. It creates an adverbial clause that modifies the main clause. For example, "While listening to the podcast, I cleaned the house" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "while listening" and "when listening"?

"While listening" emphasizes the continuous action of listening as something else occurs simultaneously. "When listening" emphasizes the time that the listening occurs. For example, "I relax "while listening" to music" (continuous). "When listening to the radio, I heard a song I liked" (specific time).