They all mean 'at the same time' or 'in the middle of another action'.

But we use them in different ways.

Let me give you an example.

We'll start with 'during' (ˈdʒʊərɪŋ) or 'during' (ˈdjʊərɪŋ).

Both pronunciations are fine, doesn't matter how you pronounce it.

But, in a sentence, there must be a noun after the word 'during'.

I pronounce it 'dʒʊərɪŋ'.

For example, I want to say, 'I hate people who talk in the middle of movies.'

It's very annoying. Don't do it.

But, I replace 'in the middle of' with 'during'.

It means the same thing.

And after we have that noun: 'movies'.

That's perfect! This is a good sentence! It's great!

You're beautiful!

Beautiful sentence.

But how about 'while'? It means the same thing.

Can I replace 'during' with 'while'?

No!

If I say, "I hate people who talk while movies", this is a rubbish sentence.

You can't say that.

So, how do we use 'while'?

With 'while', you need a clause, a subject and a verb, a sentence.

So, let's imagine you're in bed, you're trying to sleep, and then all of a sudden...

You hear a loud noise.

So, in the middle of trying to sleep, you heard a noise, there was an interruption.

'While I was trying to sleep I heard a noise.'

And it doesn't matter where you put this sentence.

It could be first, it could be after, like: I heard a noise while I was trying to sleep.

That's fine, it doesn't matter where you put it.

Also, notice the subject is the same in both sentences.

While 'I' was trying to sleep, 'I' heard a noise.

In this case, you don't need to repeat the subject in the 'while' sentence.

So we could have: 'While trying ... '

We'd actually remove the 'be' verb for continuous tenses.

Doesn't matter if it's 'was' in past continuous or 'is' in present.

And the subject, of course, if it's the same.

So it could read, 'while trying to sleep, I heard a noise'.

Or of course, 'I heard a noise while trying to sleep.'

That's fine too.

But, if you remove the 'subject' and the 'be verb', then it definitely definitely sounds more formal.

So, keep that in mind - if you're trying to speak formally that sounds great.

But in casual conversation, it's much more common not to do that.

I would more commonly say: 'Oh my god, last night while I was trying to sleep, I heard a noise ... it made me cry.'

Should we use 'while' only with continuous tenses?

No, not necessarily.

Let me give you an example: 'I played drums while she slept.'

This is not a continuous tense.

This is a past simple.

How about a present simple? Let's try that!

'She eats ice cream while I work'

Or the other way: 'While I work, she just eats ice cream.'

This is a present simple tense, so it doesn't have to be past.

Doesn't have to be past continuous, it can be anything, just know that 'while' means 'in the middle of this', 'this happens" or 'at the same time as this', 'this happens'.

That's how you use it.

But how about 'meanwhile'?

is that the same thing? it sounds the same.

How do I use that?

Well, this also means 'at the same time', but more commonly, it's used to talk about two different locations, two completely different subjects.

For example:

'In one city Superman was flying and saving the world.'

At the same time in a different city - Or we could say 'meanwhile!'

Remember, 'meanwhile' means 'at the same time' but in a different thing.

So, 'Superman was flying and saving the world.'

'Meanwhile, in Gotham (in a different place), Batman was crying.'

Emo

I hope you enjoyed today's lesson.

Tell me in the comments: Why was Batman crying?

Also, try to make your own sentences using 'during' (or ˈdjʊərɪŋ), 'while', and 'meanwhile'.

Give me a thumbs up if you can, share this video, it really helps me grow my channel.

I'll see you in the next class.