while obtaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while obtaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one action is happening simultaneously with the process of acquiring something. Example: "She was studying for her exams while obtaining her degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not just the diploma itself but the actual things that he learned while obtaining that diploma . . .

The New Yorker

He said that Mr. Shahzad bought the gun while obtaining supplies for the bomb.

The New York Times

He worked hard to enlist support from establishment political players, while obtaining important municipal union endorsements.

The New York Times

On your website you raised the difficulties one person had while obtaining her foreign national ID card.

The Guardian - Opinion

He then attended Nagoya University, where he held several teaching positions while obtaining a doctorate in engineering (1964).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or are Bain Capital and THL Partners pursuing this suit in order to preserve their reputation while obtaining a lower price?

The New York Times

Nina Trutanic died on August 19 after suffering a stroke while obtaining care at a medical facility in Maryland, according to her son, Richard Trutanic.

The New York Times

High-paying dot-com companies are snapping up librarians because of the valuable database and research skills they are taught while obtaining their master's degrees.

The New York Times

Mr. Mills also agreed to use his discretion to determine whether uncertified teachers could remain at failing schools this year at their principals' request while obtaining their licenses.

The New York Times

Mr & Mrs Smith said it planned to raise nearly $8 million with the bond and "cut out the big banks" while obtaining financing for an expansion plan.

The New York Times

And while obtaining the high-powered rifles required to cause such mass slaughter is much harder in the UK, it could strike here.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while obtaining" to clearly indicate that two actions or events are happening concurrently. Ensure that the actions described before and after the phrase are logically related and make sense in the context.

Common error

Avoid using "while obtaining" when the actions are sequential rather than simultaneous. Ensure that the second action truly occurs during the process of obtaining the first, and not before or after.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while obtaining" functions as a conjunction, linking two clauses where one action occurs during the process of obtaining something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct and common. It specifies a temporal relationship, showing simultaneity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science & Research

4%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while obtaining" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunction phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys that two events occur simultaneously, with one happening during the process of achieving or acquiring the other. Its usage is frequent in scientific and news-related contexts, and it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using "while obtaining", ensure that the actions are indeed concurrent and that the phrasing sounds natural in the given context. Alternatives like "during the acquisition of" or "simultaneously with obtaining" can be used, depending on the desired emphasis and formality. Avoid using the phrase when the actions are not simultaneous, or when a simpler word choice is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during acquisition of

Replaces 'while' with 'during' and uses a noun phrase instead of a gerund, shifting the focus slightly to the acquisition process itself.

in the process of obtaining

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the process, adding a sense of progress or development.

whilst acquiring

Uses the more formal 'whilst' in place of 'while' and 'acquiring' in place of 'obtaining', suggesting a higher register.

as one obtains

Focuses on the act of obtaining as a general activity rather than a specific event.

concurrent with obtaining

Highlights the simultaneity of the two actions, emphasizing their parallel occurrence.

at the same time as obtaining

Clearly indicates that two actions occur at the same time, creating a sense of immediacy.

simultaneously obtaining

Concisely captures the overlapping nature of the actions, but might sound less natural in some contexts.

in conjunction with obtaining

Highlights the combined or interconnected nature of the actions, suggesting a relationship beyond mere timing.

upon getting

Replaces "obtaining" with a more casual alternative, focusing on the moment something is received.

as you obtain

Shifts the focus to a general 'you', addressing the reader directly with a sense of providing instructions.

FAQs

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

Use "while obtaining" to show that two actions occur simultaneously. For example, "He improved his skills "while obtaining experience" in the field."

What are some alternatives to using "while obtaining"?

You can use alternatives like "during the acquisition of", "in the process of obtaining", or "simultaneously with obtaining" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "while obtaining" and "after obtaining"?

"While obtaining" indicates concurrent actions, whereas "after obtaining" indicates sequential actions. "While obtaining a degree", you may work part-time. "After obtaining a degree", you may seek full-time employment.

Is it more formal to say "whilst obtaining" instead of "while obtaining"?

Yes, "whilst obtaining" is a more formal alternative to "while obtaining". It is suitable for academic and professional writing.