转载：
1. 当从句中的谓语动词是持续性的动作时,我们可以用while, when或as。
While / When / As I was walking down the street, I noticed a police car in front of the bank.我顺着马路往前走时,发现银行门前停着一辆警车。
2. 当从句中的谓语动词表示瞬间动作时,不可用while。
He was on the point of leaving when someone knocked at the door. 他正要走,这时有人敲门。
3. 如果谈论两个长动作,最常用的是while。
While John was sitting biting his nails, I was working out a plan to get us home. 约翰坐在那里咬指甲时,我想出了一个回家的办法。
不过, as是可以用来说明两种正在发展或变化的情况的,这时as引导一个持续性的动作,主句中的动作与之同时进行。
As we talked on, he got more and more excited. 我们继续往下谈的时候,他越来越兴奋。
4. 如果表示两个短动作或事件同时发生,最常用的是as或just as,也可用when。
Just as he caught the ball, there was a tearing sound. 当他抓住球的时候,有一种撕裂的声音。
I thought of it just when you opened your mouth. 就在你要说话的时候,我也想到了。
参考资料：
http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/6384695.html?fr=qrl3