What is the difference between whilst and while. When should each be used in a sentence. I understand that Americans don’t use whilst but I think it is important.
ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Whilst is used primarily in British English as a synonym for the conjunction form of “while.” You would not use it for the noun form of while: “I’m going away for a whilst” is a no-no. Nor for the verb form of while: “I will whilst away my time while I’m on vacation” is no good, although “I will while away my time whilst I’m on vacation” might be OK.
I don’t know if it’s “important,” but it seems to keep “while” from being used in so many different contexts. However, I don’t see any confusion arising from using “while” as a conjunction.
Since I’ll admit that I’m American, I have trouble telling when whilst is best used, so strike up a conversation with one of our British colleagues.
The conjunction, “whilst”, is ugly, in sound and facial effort, compared to “while”. It offends me.
It has a possible (but slight) justification when eliding to a vowel, as in “whilst I was…”, but elision is no less, though more gently, achieved by the “l” sound of “while”.
A more worthy elision justification might rest in archaic constructions, such as, “whilst thou wert…”, but such language is unlikely to be used.
K.
Wow, some people get offended easily! Living in the US means that I mostly hear “while” so I’m sure that it sounds more natural to me. I want to be careful that I don’t get offended because it’s not as familiar to me.