while they are

USAGE SUMMARY

"while they are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that describes an action that is happening at the same time as a previous action. Example: "She was cooking dinner while they were watching a movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While they are silenced, we can speak.

The New Yorker

They cannot strike while they are here.

The New York Times

Kids are learning while they are planting".

The New York Times

While they are waiting, Margaret becomes pregnant.

The New Yorker

While they are away, I don't know.

The Guardian

While they are behind bars, they stop.

The Guardian

While they are working, the narrator accidentally breaks Bengt's clock.

The New Yorker

Better buy antimatter futures while they are cheap.

The Economist

While they are eating their breakfast, put on chef's whites.

Independent

They fall in love while they are dying of cancer.

Independent

"We cannot be calm while they are fighting us.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while they are", ensure the tenses in both clauses are logically consistent to avoid confusing the reader. For example, use present continuous in both clauses to describe ongoing actions.

Common error

Avoid mismatching tenses when using "while they are". For instance, don't mix a simple past tense in the main clause with a present continuous in the "while they are" clause, as this can create a confusing timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while they are" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that provides a temporal context or condition for the main clause. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while they are" is a versatile conjunction used to connect two actions or states that occur simultaneously. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a range of writing styles. Its frequency, as indicated by Ludwig, highlights its common usage in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific articles. Remember to maintain consistent tenses to avoid confusion and to choose alternative phrasings, such as "during their time" or "as they exist", depending on the specific context you wish to convey. In summary, "while they are" is a reliable and effective tool for illustrating concurrent events in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the same time as they are

Explicitly indicates simultaneous occurrence.

while in their current state

Specifically emphasizes their present condition during the described action or situation.

during the period they are

This version emphasizes the time they are performing the action.

whilst in the process of

This emphasizes that the subjects are actively involved in something.

as they're doing

A more informal phrasing conveying ongoing actions.

in the time that they are

Emphasizes a specific timeframe.

during their time

This focuses on the duration of an activity or state for the subjects.

as long as they're being

This version emphasizes a condition that must be met during their actions.

during their activity

Highlights the period of their participation in an action.

as they exist

This alternative highlights the current state or condition of the subjects.

FAQs

How to use "while they are" in a sentence?

Use "while they are" to connect two ongoing actions or states. For example, "They are studying hard while they are in college."

What can I say instead of "while they are"?

You can use alternatives like "during their time", "as they exist", or "at the same time as they are depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "whilst they are" instead of "while they are"?

"Whilst they are" is grammatically correct and carries the same meaning as "while they are". "Whilst" is generally considered more formal and is less commonly used in American English.

What's the difference between "while they are" and "when they are"?

"While they are" indicates that two actions are happening simultaneously, whereas "when they are" suggests that one action will occur at a specific time or under specific conditions.