Whilst

You can drop whilst right at the beginning of a sentence. For example, Whilst I love coffee, it makes me jittery. You can also stick it in the middle to join two thoughts. It functions as a bridge between ideas. Just remember that it usually needs a comma if it starts the sentence. It works best when you are comparing two different situations. It’s surprisingly flexible. You can use it to talk about time or to argue a point. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for your vocabulary.

This is your go-to word for university essays. Use it in a cover letter to impress a potential boss. If you are in London, you’ll hear it in casual conversation more often than in New York. It adds a layer of elegance to your speech. It’s perfect for professional presentations where you want to sound precise. Use it when you want to sound like you’ve really thought your argument through. It’s great for emails where you need to deliver a bit of bad news gently. For example, Whilst we appreciate your interest, we have chosen another candidate.

Don't use it in a rowdy bar with friends. Avoid it when texting your best friend about a hangover. If you are in the United States, use it very sparingly. To American ears, it can sound a bit like you’re wearing a monocle and a top hat. It’s too heavy for very light, breezy chats. If you use it three times in one paragraph, you’ll sound like a 19th-century poet. Keep it for those moments when you need a bit of extra gravitas. Don't use it if you're trying to be 'one of the gang' in a casual setting.

This word is a classic Britishism. While Americans mostly dropped the 'st' ending centuries ago, the British kept it alive. It feels very 'Old World' and traditional. It suggests a certain level of education or a love for formal grammar. In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, it’s quite common. In the US, it’s almost exclusively found in academic papers or very old books. It’s a linguistic marker that often signals where someone grew up or how they were taught English.

The most obvious variation is while. It’s the universal version that works everywhere. There is also whereas, which is used specifically for showing a sharp contrast. In very old literature, you might see whilom, but please don't use that today unless you're at a Renaissance fair! Stick to whilst when you want that specific academic or British flair. Some people also use at the same time as, but that’s much wordier and less elegant than our friend whilst.