The Most Common Mistakes "When-While"

Error and Solution 

 

ERROR
* While he called me, he was driving to work.   The adverb while introduces an activity of longer duration: calling or dialing is a short action.
*While he is watching television, she does not. Unclear meaning while  — verb tense adds to problem                   SOLUTION                    * When he called me, he was driving to work.  Change while to when. (when=interruption)                     * While he was talking on the phone with me, he was driving to work.  (Change the activity to one of longer duration.)                      * While he is watching television, she is reading. while (time adverbial) — at the same time                        * While he watches television, she does not.