一、while在句子中的用法很多,在過去進(jìn)行時(shí)的表達(dá)中也經(jīng)常遇到,它表示“當(dāng)……時(shí)候”的意思。

二、while在過去進(jìn)行時(shí)句子中,只能表示某一段時(shí)間,不能表示某一點(diǎn)時(shí)間。在while引導(dǎo)的時(shí)間狀語從句中,其謂語動詞只能是延續(xù)性的,而且也只能與主句中的謂語動詞同時(shí)發(fā)生或存在。例如:
1. While Jim was mending his bike, Lin Tao came to see him.
正當(dāng)吉姆修自行車時(shí),林濤來看他。
2. You can’t do your homework while you’re watching TV.
你不能一邊看電視一邊做家庭作業(yè)。

三、While we were talking,the teacher came in. 我們正談話的時(shí)候,老師進(jìn)來了。這個(gè)句子是個(gè)復(fù)合句。其中while we were talking 是由while引導(dǎo)的時(shí)間狀語從句。這里while表示主句的動作是發(fā)生在從句所表示的時(shí)間之中。顯然,while 所表示的是一段時(shí)間,不是表示一點(diǎn)時(shí)間。試比較:
They were sweeping the floor when the teacher came in.
老師進(jìn)來時(shí)(這一時(shí)刻),他們在擦地板。
While they were sweeping the floor,the teacher came in.
他們正擦地板時(shí)(這段時(shí)間),老師進(jìn)來了。

四、while在過去進(jìn)行時(shí)句子中,表示“當(dāng)...的時(shí)候”。
While he was eating, I asked him to lend me $2.
當(dāng)他正在吃飯時(shí),我請他借給我二美元。
While I was reading, she sang.
我看書時(shí),她在唱歌。

五、while 的這種用法一般都和延續(xù)性動詞連用 while 可以表示“對比”,這樣用有的語法書認(rèn)為是并列連詞,例如:
Some people like coffee, while others like tea.
有些人喜歡咖啡, 而有些人喜歡茶。
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