while that's happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while that's happening" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used to indicate that something is occurring simultaneously with another event or action. Example: "I will start cooking dinner while that's happening, so we can eat as soon as you arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

And while that's happening, the person's health is deteriorating.

The Guardian

You hope while that's happening, that somebody's also got their eye on preserving the old places that are part of how it became Music City USA.

Huffington Post

While that's happening I ask Krishnendu Majumdar, who's showrunning Hoff The Record alongside partner Richard Yee, if he feels like he's actually spent time with David, rather than The Hoff. "Off camera he's a level-headed, generous guy," Krish explains.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And while that's happening, I'm learning and understanding".

The New York Times - Arts

But the odd thing with my situation is that I am still alive while that's happening".

The New York Times

While that's happening slowly, insiders say the history of new technologies gives them hope.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The presiding officer while that was happening: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Sen. Cindy

The Washington Post

Even while that is happening, scores of local governments in California, Colorado and other states have gone the other way and imposed bans or moratoriums on distribution even though state law allows it.

The New York Times

Don't do anything while that is happening, just let it proceed.

WikiHow

You can also comment on something that's happening nearby, while you're standing near each other.

WikiHow

But while all that's happened, our customer loyalty has improved and churn has gone down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the beginning of a sentence to act as a smooth transition between two different subjects performing simultaneous actions.

Common error

Avoid using the contraction in formal academic or legal documents. In these contexts, you should expand the phrase to "while that is happening" or use a more formal transition like "simultaneously" to maintain the appropriate register.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while that's happening" functions as a temporal subordinate clause or a conjunctive transition. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to bridge two independent ideas by establishing a temporal overlap. The use of the demonstrative pronoun "that" requires a clear antecedent in the previous sentence or clause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki & How-to

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while that's happening" is a versatile and correct tool for coordinating simultaneous actions in English. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in News & Media and instructional guides, where it helps maintain narrative momentum. While perfectly acceptable in most writing contexts, it is important to remember that it relies on a clear antecedent for the word "that". For highly formal writing, consider using "simultaneously" or expanding the contraction. Overall, it is an essential phrase for creating a sense of dynamic, parallel progress in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the same time

Uses a prepositional phrase instead of a subordinate clause while maintaining the exact same meaning

meanwhile

A single-word adverbial alternative that often functions better as a transition at the start of a sentence

in the meantime

Focuses more on the interval of time created by the first action

simultaneously

Increases formality and emphasizes the precise synchronization of events

as this occurs

Uses more formal vocabulary and avoids the contraction for a professional tone

concurrently

A technical or legal term used for events running in parallel

while that is in progress

Suggests a more formal or administrative context where the first action is a defined process

as that unfolds

Adds a narrative or dramatic flair, suggesting a story or complex situation developing

during that time

Shifts the focus from the action itself to the temporal duration

all the while

Adds emphasis to the continuous nature of the simultaneous event

FAQs

How to use "while that's happening" in a sentence?

You use it to link two concurrent actions. For example: "The software will download the updates; "while that's happening", you can continue working on your document."

What can I say instead of "while that's happening"?

You can use alternatives like "at the same time", "meanwhile", or "simultaneously" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "while that's happening" or "meanwhile"?

Both are correct. "while that's happening" is often used as a subordinating phrase, whereas "meanwhile" usually functions as a conjunctive adverb at the start of a new sentence.

Is "while that's happening" too informal for business writing?

It is generally considered neutral. However, if you want to sound more professional, you might choose "in the interim" or "concurrently".