while scrolling through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while scrolling through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring simultaneously with the act of scrolling through content, such as social media, documents, or websites. Example: "I found an interesting article while scrolling through my news feed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Recently, and for a while, scrolling through one's online life during the weekends was the best way to cause a massive case of FOMO: "Look, there's someone at Davos, and there's someone at Burning Man and there's someone on a boat in the San Francisco harbor.

TechCrunch

Listening to the "Hamilton" soundtrack while scrolling through devastating political news?

The New Yorker

Alison Young had brought a bag of sweets, and the super-recognizers chewed candy while scrolling through the database.

The New Yorker

Be honest — it wouldn't be so bad if the hour you spend every two weeks speaking to a parent could be redirected toward a more fulfilling hobby, like rewatching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episodes while scrolling through a work spreadsheet while scrolling through videos that acquaintances took of themselves in cabs.

The New Yorker

On a recent weekday afternoon, the control room for Locutori No. 2 smelled of French fries as Blai Iniesta, a producer, regulated the sound levels while scrolling through audio clips on a computer screen.

The New York Times - Sports

"I get to be Uncle Cody," he said, beaming in between bites of flautas, at Los Dos Molinos near Gramercy Park, while scrolling through photos of her on his BlackBerry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

A few months back, while lazily scrolling through Instagram, I suddenly stopped my thumb.

The New Yorker

Since users have to condense their thoughts into bite-size knowledge nuggets, it's easy to learn a lot while quickly scrolling through the timeline.

TechCrunch

Yet, here I am, practically drooling on myself while mindlessly scrolling through my feed again.

Vice

It was during the depths of a British Columbia winter that I sat at our kitchen ­table shoveling Cheerios into my mouth while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook posts on my phone.

Huffington Post

For a few weeks it's somewhat socially acceptable to break down in tears in the middle of a shopping centre, or live on five-day-old pasta while obsessively scrolling through old photos.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while scrolling through" to clearly indicate that an action occurs concurrently with the act of navigating digital content. For instance, "I discovered a new artist while scrolling through Instagram."

Common error

Avoid using "while scrolling through" when describing a static image or document, as it implies movement. Instead, use "in" or "on" to refer to content within a fixed medium.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while scrolling through" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a subordinate clause, typically indicating the time or circumstances under which another action occurs. Ludwig shows several examples of its usage in describing actions taken during digital navigation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while scrolling through" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for describing simultaneous actions during digital content navigation. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is typically used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, to add context to a discovery or action. Although not extremely common, it is readily understood and accepted. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects an action occurring during the act of scrolling to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as you scroll through

Changes the perspective to a second-person point of view, directly addressing the audience.

during scrolling

Condenses the phrase, focusing on the action of scrolling as a period of time.

during a scroll

Simplifies the phrase by using "scroll" as a noun.

as you browse

Replaces "scrolling through" with the more general term "browse", implying a more active search.

scanning through

Focuses on the act of quickly looking over content.

whilst browsing

Offers a more formal and slightly archaic alternative to "while scrolling through".

navigating through

Emphasizes the act of moving through digital content.

when perusing

Implies a more careful and detailed examination than simply scrolling.

as I leafed through

Implies browsing, as in a book or magazine.

examining the content

Suggests a careful, detailed, even critical analysis of the content itself.

FAQs

How can I use "while scrolling through" in a sentence?

Use "while scrolling through" to describe an action that happens at the same time as someone is moving through content on a screen. For example, "She found the perfect recipe "while scrolling through" Pinterest."

What are some alternatives to "while scrolling through"?

You can use alternatives like "as you "scan through"", "during scrolling", or "as you browse" depending on the context.

Is "while scrolling through" formal or informal?

"While scrolling through" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. It is less appropriate for highly formal or academic writing.

What is the difference between "while scrolling through" and "while browsing"?

"While "scrolling through"" specifically refers to the action of moving content vertically or horizontally on a screen, whereas "while browsing" is a more general term that encompasses various forms of online exploration.