while on guard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while on guard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of vigilance or alertness, often in contexts related to security or defense. Example: "The soldiers remained focused and alert while on guard at the entrance of the base."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

William Atwell of Cleveland tried to write in his diary while on guard duty one chilly spring night in Missouri in 1862.

The New York Times

The central case concerns the death of Cheryl James, a new soldier and a seemingly happy young woman from a middle-class background who died while on guard duty one morning in mysterious circumstances.

The New York Times

Yolanda, a delicate girl with long black hair, also 16, described how she fell asleep while on guard duty one night.

BBC

On Oct. 3, he shot himself while on guard duty in a tower.

The New York Times

He (or she, for meerkats are modern in their feminism) could not eat while on guard duty.

The Economist

Gray, 17, from Hackney, east London, was found with two gunshot wounds to his head while on guard duty in September 2001.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Viewers witnessed the transformation of Governor Bush from an awkward, taut politician to one who, while still on guard, grew increasingly self-assured.

The New York Times

The researchers, who published their findings online this week in Biology Letters, concluded that the birds were resting half of their brains at a time in order to catch up on sleep while staying on guard.

Science Magazine

"Sixtypercentt of Ukraine wants to join Europe," he told me one night while he was on guard duty.

Vice

Some units entered the city centre while others remained on guard at strategic entry points, residents said.

The Guardian

Shortly before her death she had argued with Wilkinson, who had visited her while she was on guard duty at the gate that morning.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific incident, clarify the location and responsibilities associated with the guard duty. This adds context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Don't simply state someone was "on guard" without specifying what they were guarding or their purpose. This can leave the reader wondering about the context and significance of their role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while on guard" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when or under what circumstances an action takes place. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a state of vigilance during a specified time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while on guard" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone being vigilant or performing protective duties, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to provide temporal context, indicating when an action occurs during a period of watchfulness. Most frequently, "while on guard" appears in news and media, followed by wiki articles, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Related phrases, such as "during guard duty" or "on watch", offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Remember to specify what is being guarded to avoid vagueness, and use this phrase when you need to emphasize the temporal aspect of protective actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during guard duty

Replaces "while on" with "during", focusing on the activity itself.

whilst on sentry duty

Uses "whilst" instead of "while" and "sentry duty" which emphasizes the formal context of being a guard.

on watch

A more concise and general way of saying someone is keeping an eye out.

on duty as a guard

Specifies the role more explicitly, useful when the context isn't already clear.

in a state of vigilance

Emphasizes the mental state of being alert and watchful.

keeping watch

Highlights the act of observing and protecting.

standing watch

Similar to "keeping watch", but emphasizes the physical act of being present.

on patrol

Describes a more active form of guarding, involving movement and surveillance.

manning the guard post

Highlights the act of occupying and operating a specific guard location.

performing security detail

Focuses on the official assignment of providing security.

FAQs

How can I use "while on guard" in a sentence?

You can use "while on guard" to describe actions or events that occur during a period of protective duty. For example, "He fell asleep "while on guard duty"" or "They remained vigilant "while on guard" at the perimeter."

What's a good alternative to "while on guard"?

Alternatives include "during guard duty", "on watch", or "while on duty", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "while on guard duty"?

While ""while on guard"" implies being engaged in guard duty, specifying ""while on guard duty"" can add clarity, especially if the type of duty isn't obvious.

Which is more formal, "while on guard" or "during guard duty"?

"During guard duty" is slightly more formal. "While on guard" is versatile and suitable for most situations, whereas "during guard duty" directly specifies the time period of the duty.