while 用作连词时,有以下几种含义:
1. 意为“当……时候,和……同时”,引导
时间状语从句。例如:
While I was watching TV, the bell rang. (我看电视时,铃响了。)
Meimei watched TV while she ate her supper. (梅梅边吃晚饭边看电视。)
2. 意为“虽然,尽管”,引导
让步状语从句。例如:
While it was late, he went on working. (虽然很晚了,但他还在继续工作。)
While he is in poor health, he works hard. (虽然他身体不好,但他还是努力工作。)
3.引导
条件状语从句 相当于as long as,译作“只要”。例如:
While there is life, there is hope. (有生命,就有希望。)
While a spark of life remains, it is a doctor's duty to save the patient.
(只要病人还有一息生机,医生就有责任挽救。 )
4.引导
原因状语从句, 相当于since, 有“既然”的意思。例如:
You'll never save any money while you're so extravagant. (你这么奢侈,永远存不下钱来。 )
I'd like to get it settled today while we're at it. (既然我们着手干了,我想今天就把它干完。 )
5. 连接两个并列句子,表示“对比”关系。例如:
He went out for a walk, while I stayed at home. (他出去散步了,而我却呆在家里。)
I like singing while she likes dancing. (我喜欢唱歌,而她喜欢跳舞。)
You like sports, while I prefer music. (你喜欢体育,而我更喜欢音乐。)
此处是连词的第五种用法。