whilst

USAGE SUMMARY

'whilst' is a perfectly acceptable and valid word in written English.
It is a British English term and a synonym for 'while' or 'during the time that'. For example: "Whilst walking in the park, she spotted a familiar face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award-winning Guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The Guardian

"Whilst oxytocin is important for passive behaviours [such as hugging], vasopressin is part of the active coping system," Carter says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This also reflects the Guardian brand, which whilst serious at times is also not afraid to be fun and playful.

The Guardian

And so it feels like a wonderful adventure to be up and about, whilst everyone is asleep and missing one of Mother Nature's greatest light shows.

The Guardian

"The office is monitoring coverage, and whilst the law officers do not think the coverage they have seen requires action for contempt of court, we do urge everyone to read and adhere to the media advisory".

The Guardian

Whilst it might be hard to justify a multi-million pound TV campaign, an online video initiative can drive meaningful reach and business results and scale down to much smaller budgets.

The Guardian

Whilst this is a look favoured by the mainstream fashion industry, there a small signs that things are changing.

The Guardian

But the day before Rahman's death, one CIA officer ordered that Rahman be shackled to the wall of his cell and sat on the cold floor whilst naked from the waist down.

The Guardian

Whilst the mounting skepticism surrounding corruption prevents large amounts of financial aid from getting through, concerns are also growing that larger NGOs are flitting away money on unnecessary luxuries such as SUVs and plush hotels.

The Guardian

A year on the hashtag begun to trend globally again as the world marks a year since the girls disappeared: but whilst some of the girls have escaped the majority remain missing, leaving their families with nothing to do but to wait in hope.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whilst" to add a touch of formality to your writing, particularly in British English contexts. It can make your writing sound more sophisticated.

Common error

Avoid using "whilst" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. In such cases, "while" is generally more appropriate and sounds more natural.

How to use

Learn how to use "whilst" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "whilst" is as a subordinating conjunction. It connects a subordinate clause to a main clause, indicating simultaneity or contrast. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently interchangeable with 'while'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whilst" functions as a subordinating conjunction, primarily used to denote simultaneity or introduce a contrast. Ludwig AI confirms its interchangeability with "while", though "whilst" carries a more formal tone and is more prevalent in British English. It is commonly found in news media, formal business writing, and scientific publications. While grammatically correct, overusing "whilst" in informal contexts should be avoided. As shown through Ludwig examples, it enhances sophistication but should align with the overall register of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while

A direct synonym, offering identical meaning in most contexts.

during the time that

A more verbose alternative that clarifies the temporal relationship.

at the same time that

Highlights the synchronicity of the events.

as

A versatile option that can indicate time or reason, depending on context.

as long as

Emphasizes the duration of the simultaneous actions or states.

although

Similar to 'even though', but with a slightly weaker sense of contrast.

even though

Shifts the focus to concession, indicating a contrast despite the simultaneity.

considering that

Introduces a reason or basis for a statement, with a temporal overlap.

inasmuch as

A formal alternative, implying 'to the extent that' or 'because'.

in the process of

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an action occurring simultaneously.

FAQs

How to use "whilst" in a sentence?

"Whilst" is used as a conjunction to indicate that two things are happening at the same time, or to express a contrast. For example, "Whilst I agree with the overall goal, I disagree with the method."

What can I say instead of "whilst"?

You can use alternatives like "while", "although", or "even though" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "whilst" or "while"?

Both "whilst" and "while" are correct and can often be used interchangeably. "Whilst" is generally considered more formal and is more common in British English.

What's the difference between "whilst" and "although"?

"Whilst" primarily indicates simultaneity or something happening at the same time, but can also express contrast. "Although" is used exclusively to show contrast or concession. For example, "Whilst it rained, we still enjoyed the picnic" (simultaneity and contrast) vs. "Although it rained, we still enjoyed the picnic" (only contrast).