Key Difference:

“While” and “whilst” are both used to indicate that two actions are happening at the same time or to introduce a contrast. The key difference is in their usage:

• “While” is common in both American and British English.
• “Whilst” is more formal and is mainly used in British English.

Detailed Breakdown

1. While

• Definition: “While” is used to show that two actions happen at the same time or to contrast two ideas.
• Usage: Widely accepted in both British and American English, “while” is the go-to choice for general conversation, writing, and less formal contexts.
• Examples:
  • “I like to listen to music while I work.”
  • “While she enjoys running, her sister prefers swimming.”

2. Whilst

• Definition: “Whilst” has the same meaning as “while” but sounds a bit more formal and is considered somewhat old-fashioned outside the UK.
• Usage: Mainly used in British English, often in formal writing or literature. It’s rarely used in American English, where it can sound out of place or overly formal.
• Examples:
  • “She studied hard whilst her friends went out.”
  • “I try to keep up with the news whilst staying neutral.”

Quick Comparison Chart

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with “while” or “whilst” based on the context:

1. I’ll keep an eye on the children ______ you finish your call.
2. He completed his work ______ others were distracted.
3. ______ it was tempting to quit, she kept pushing through.

Answers:

1. while
2. whilst (in British English) or while (in American English)
3. while