1. “主短從長”型:即主句是一個短暫性的動作,而從句是一個持續(xù)性動作,此時三者都可用。如:
Jim hurt his arm while [when, as] he was playing tennis.
吉姆打網球時把手臂扭了。
As [When, While] she was waiting for the train, she became very impatient.
她在等火車時,變得很不耐煩。
注意:as用于引出一個持續(xù)性動詞表示“在……期間”時,其謂語通常只能是那些含有動作和發(fā)展意味的動詞,一般不能是那些不用于進行時態(tài)的動詞,所以下面一句中的while不能換為as:
A:I’m going to the post office. 我要去郵局。
B:While you are there, can you get me some stamps?
當你在郵局時,能幫我買幾張郵票嗎?
2. “主長從長”型:即主句和從句為兩個同時進行的動作或存在的狀態(tài),且強調主句動作或狀態(tài)延續(xù)到從句所指的整個時間,此時通常要用while。如:
I always listen to the radio while I’m driving.
我總是一邊開車一邊聽收音機。
He didn’t ask me in; he kept me standing at the door while he read the message.
他沒有讓我進去,他只顧看那張條子,讓我站在門口等著。
但是,若主句和從句所表示的兩個同時進行的動作含有“一邊……一邊”之意時,則習慣上要用as。如:
He swung his arms as he walked.
他走路時擺動著手臂。
I couldn’t remember a story to tell the children, so I made one up as I went along.
我想不出有什么故事可給孩子講了,只好現編現講。
3. “主長從短”型:即主句是一個持續(xù)性動作,而從句是一個短暫性動作,此時可以用as或when,但不能用while。如:
It was raining hard when [as] we arrived.
我們到達時正下著大雨。
When [As] he came in, I was listening to the radio.
他進來時,我在聽收音機。
二、根據主句與從句動作是否同時發(fā)生來區(qū)分
1. 若主句與從句表示的是兩個同時發(fā)生的短暫性動作,含有類似漢語“一……就”的意思,英語一般要用as 。如:
The ice cracked as [when] I stepped onto it.
我一踩冰就裂了。
He jumped to his feet as the boss came in.
老板一進來他立刻站了起來。
但是,在hardly [scarcely]…when…句式中,不能將when換成as。如:
Scarcely had we arrived, when it began to rain.
我們剛一到就下起雨來了。
2. 若主句與從句表示的是兩個幾乎同時發(fā)生的短暫性動作,含有類似漢語“剛要……就”“正要……卻”的意思,英語一般要用as,且此時通常連用副詞just。如:
I caught him just when [as] he was leaving the building.
他正要離開大樓的時候,我把他截住了。
Just as [when] the two men were leaving, a message arrived.
就在這兩個人要離開的時候,突然有了消息。
三、根據是否具有伴隨變化來區(qū)分
若要表示主句動作伴隨從句動作同時發(fā)展變化,有類似漢語“隨著”的意思,英語習慣上要用as,而不用when或while。如:
The room grew colder as the fire burnt down.
隨著爐火逐漸減弱,房間越來越冷。
As time goes by my memory seems to get worse.
隨著時間的流逝,我的記憶力似乎越來越差。
注:若不是引導從句,而是引出一個短語,則用with,不用as。如:
With winter coming on, it’s time to buy warm clothes.
隨著冬天到來,該買暖和衣裳了。
The shadows lengthened with the approach of sunset.
隨著太陽下落,影子也逐漸伸長。
四、根據從句動作的規(guī)律性來區(qū)分
若暗示一種規(guī)律性,表示“每當……的時候”,英語一般要用when。如:
It’s cold when it snows. 下雪時天冷。
He smiles when you praise him.
你夸獎他時他總是笑笑。
五、根據主從句動作的先后順序來區(qū)分
若主句與從句所表示的動作不是同時發(fā)生,而是有先后順序時,一般要用when。如:
When he arrives he’ll tell us all about the match.
等他到了,他會好好給我們講講那場比賽的情況。
When she had finished she waited as though for a reply.
她講完之后等了等,仿佛是在等候回答似的。
六、根據是否具有“趁機”意味來區(qū)分
1. 若從句所表示的“當……的時候”具有“趁機”的意味,則通常用while。如:
Strike while the iron is hot. 趁熱打鐵。
I tried to slip the note to him while the teacher wasn’t looking.
我想趁老師不注意時把條子偷偷遞給他。
有時也用when。如:
He stole the money when no one was by.
他趁旁邊無人時把錢偷走了。
The boy looks at her repeatedly when she’s not looking.
那男孩趁她沒看他的時候不斷地盯著她看。
七、根據是否用作并列連詞來區(qū)分
when可用作并列連詞,表示“這時”;while也可以用作并列連詞,表示“而”“卻”;但as則沒有類似用法。如:
I was just about to go to bed when I heard a knock on the door.
我正要睡覺,聽見有人敲門。
One person may like to spend his vacation at the seashore, while another may prefer the mountains.
一個人會喜歡在海濱度假,而另一個人會喜歡在山里度假。
八、根據所引出的省略句來區(qū)分
1. as和when之后均可直接跟一個名詞,構成省略句;但是while一般不這樣用。如:
As [When] a boy, he lived in Japan. 他小時候在日本。
As [When] still a student, he wrote a novel.
當他還是個學生的時候,他就寫了一本小說。
2. when和while之后可接現在分詞、介詞短語、形容詞等構成省略句,但as一般不這樣用。如:
When [While] reading, he fell asleep.
他看書時睡著了。
When [While] in trouble, ask her for help.
遇到麻煩的時候你就去找她幫忙。
You must study hard while young, or you will regret when old.
你趁年輕時必須努力學習,不然到老了你會后悔的。