While vs. Since

While and since talk about time. That is why many learners confuse them. In this lesson, we will discover all about them.

What Is Their Main Difference?

The main difference 'while' and 'since' is that 'While' can be used as a conjunctive adverb, preposition, verb, or noun, and 'since' can be used as a conjunction, adverb, and preposition.

As a Conjunction and Adverb

'While' is used as a conjunctive adverb and 'since' can be used as conjunctions or adverbs to indicate time.
'While' expresses how two actions are happening at the same time.
'Since' expresses how an action started from a particular time in the past until now.

We were busy with unpacking since we got back from Florida.

Here, since is a conjunction of time.

This company has been serving the market since two years ago.

Here, since is an adverb of time.

We were checking out the cars while he was busy with his phone.

They were distracted while the heist was going as planned.

'While' can be used as a conjunctive adverb to express that something is happening despite a hurdle.

While Gina doesn't seem so bright, she is very resourceful.

While Terry seemed suspicious, Harry was the actual criminal.

As a Preposition

'While' can be used as a preposition; however, note that it is very uncommon. In this case, we use it to indicate the meaning 'until.'
'Since' can be used as a preposition to express how an action started from a particular time in the past until now.

I haven't seen harry since 1989.

He has been missing since 2003.

As a Noun

'While' can also be used as a noun. We cannot use 'while' alone and it is often used to indicate time. It is often used with words such as 'in a...,' 'once in a...,' 'for a...,' and 'worth your...'.

I could distract them for a while.

I'm going to meet him again in a while.

It will be worth your while if you pay old Harry a visit.

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