Grammar Tip – While … Time goes by

Here’s a challenge for you. For the next week, watch for the word “while.” How is it used? Is it being used in its correct sense of “during the time that”? If not, it’s the wrong word.

Incorrect

While I would like to work on the proposal today, I am too busy.?(There is no time frame.)

Correct

Although I would like to work on the proposal today, I am too busy.

Correct

While I was reading the report, I came up with three new ideas.?(During the time that I was reading the report … )

While you are watching for while, you may catch other errors also.