两者都表示当...时候
When既可以表示某一时间点,也可以表示某一时间段,在When引导的时间状语从句中,其谓语动词可以是延续性的,也可以是非延续性的,可与主语中的谓语动词同时发生,也可以在其后发生。
例: I was just reading a book when she came into my room.
When he was a child ,he was always trying out new ideas.
While只能表示某一时间段,不能表示某一时间,在While 引导的时间状语中,其谓语动词只能是延续性的,而且只能与主句中的谓语动词同时发生或存在。I was doing my homework ,while bob was watching TV.
若从句是一个短暂性动作,而主句是一个持续性动作,一般用when 而不用while.
When he came in, I wzs doing my homewoirk.
填写when 还是while, 通常首先看主句和从句的时态,然后再具体判断。