while
part of speech
conjunction (while; UK also whilst); noun (a while); verb (while away)
meaning for a pupil
1) While means at the same time as something else happens. tree →
2) While can mean but, or although, to show a difference. tree →
3) «A while» is some time, often not long. tree →
4) To while away time is to pass it in a relaxed way. tree →
5) Worth while (written as two words) means worth the time or effort. tree →
sense in the lessons
In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: Means "at the same time as" or "but," as in everyday English. In the primary lessons: joins two facts told side by side, often to compare or add them; in stories, «while» tells that two things happen at once; phrases «a while», «for a while», «in a while», «once in a while», «worth your while»
examples
- While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she tended them. (Torah GEN.29.9, JPS 1917) tree →
- And he said unto Balak: 'Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I go toward a meeting yonder.' (Torah NUM.23.15, JPS 1917) tree →
- And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession; while Israel doeth valiantly. (Torah NUM.24.18, JPS 1917) tree →
- While the king sat at his table, my spikenard sent forth its fragrance. (Writings SNG.1.12, JPS 1917) tree →
- And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. (Prophets 1KI.1.22, JPS 1917) tree →
- And Ehud escaped while they lingered, having passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirah. (Prophets JDG.3.26, JPS 1917) tree →
- Mary has 12 apples while Tom has 8. tree →
- While she read 20 pages, he read 15. tree →
- How many more does Mary have? tree →
- She waited a while. tree →
- I listened to music while I cleaned my room. tree →
- Don't use your phone while you cross the road. tree →
- See you in a while! tree →
- Once in a while we eat out. tree →
- Some birds fly south, while others stay. tree →
- The rain stopped for a while. tree →
- It is quite worth while trying.’ tree →
note
A joining word, no operation by itself; it puts two amounts side by side. Trap: «while» is not «more than»; check what the question asks. «A while» (noun) and «awhile» (adverb) are close. Do not mix up «while» and «wile» (a trick).
In the corpora
- While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she tended them.
- Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even.
- And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the sabbath day.
- And he said unto Balak: 'Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I go toward a meeting yonder.'
- And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession; while Israel doeth valiantly.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «while» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.