Join In
Twitter
YouTube
Weekly Newsletter
Libraries
A-Z Grammatical Terms
A-Z Confused Words
FAQs by Writers
A-Z Awkward Plurals
Punctuation Lessons
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Grammar Videos
(ordered by category) Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Grammar Videos
(ordered by category) Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
While or Whilst?
What Is the Difference between "While" and "Whilst"?
"While" and "whilst" are interchangeable in the UK but not in the US. If you're American, use "while."More about "While" and "Whilst"
Americans find "whilst" quaint, old-fashioned, or literary. Most Brits, on the other hand, will swap happily between "while" and "whilst," although some Brits also find "whilst" a little outdated.
Is There a Difference between "While" and "Whilst"?
Grammarians often discuss two differences between "while" and "whilst," but neither of these ideas is well supported. Nevertheless, for completeness, here they are:Claimed Difference 1: The Time Factor
Some grammarians engaged in the "while-whilst" debate claim that, in the meaning "during the time that" or "at the same time as," "whilst" should be used for a short period of time, and "while" should be used for a longer period of time. For example:- Swim while the weather permits. (Some claim you should use "while" for a long period of time.)
- Swim whilst the tide is rising. (They also claim you should use "whilst" for a short period of time.)
- While she was swimming, the seagulls stole her lunch. ("Was swimming" is an example of the past progressive tense.)
(Claimed Difference 2) The "Although" Issue
Of course, "while" and "whilst" can also mean "although." For example:- While/whilst I am a strong swimmer, I will not enter these waters.
"While" As a Noun or Verb
"While" and "whilst" are not always interchangeable. They are only interchangeable when they are used as conjunctions (i.e., in the meanings outlined above)."While" can also be a noun or a verb. "Whilst" cannot. As a noun, "while" means "a period of time." As a verb, it means "to pass time" (usually at a leisurely pace). For example:
- I lived there for a while. (Here, "while" is a noun.)
- She used to while away the hours in the meadow. (In this example, "while" is a verb.)
It's Different for Americans, Australians, Brits, and Canadians
Advice to Canadians and Americans: Use "while" unless you're trying to add a sense of the old fashioned.Advice to Brits and Australians
Use whichever one you want, but if you need to play it safe, use "while" unless you deliberately want to add a sense of the old fashioned.Ready for the Test?
Help Us Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Find Us Quicker!
- When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.