When vs. Whereas

Attribute	When	Whereas
Definition	Refers to a specific point in time or a condition that must be met	Introduces a clause that contrasts with the main idea or provides additional information
Usage	Used to indicate a specific time or condition	Used to introduce a contrasting or additional idea
Legal context	Commonly used in legal documents to specify deadlines or conditions	Commonly used in legal documents to provide background information or context
Grammatical function	Usually used as an adverb or conjunction	Usually used as a conjunction

Definition

When and whereas are two words that are often used in English language to introduce clauses or phrases. When is used to indicate a specific time or situation in which something happens, while whereas is used to contrast two different parts of a sentence or to introduce a clause that provides additional information.

Usage

When is commonly used to refer to a point in time or a situation. For example, "I will call you when I arrive." Whereas is used to introduce a contrasting statement or to provide additional information. For example, "I like to eat ice cream, whereas my sister prefers cake."

Conjunction

When is a subordinating conjunction, which means it introduces a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Whereas can be used as a conjunction or as an adverb. As a conjunction, it introduces a dependent clause, similar to when. As an adverb, it is used to introduce a contrast or comparison between two clauses or phrases.

Formality

When is considered more informal compared to whereas. When is commonly used in everyday speech and writing, while whereas is often used in formal writing, such as legal documents or academic papers. Using whereas can add a level of formality to your writing, while using when may make it sound more casual.

Clarity

When is often used to indicate a specific time or situation, making the meaning clear to the reader. Whereas is used to introduce a contrast or additional information, which can sometimes make the sentence more complex. Depending on the context, using when or whereas can help clarify the relationship between different parts of a sentence.

Transition

When is commonly used as a transition word to indicate a sequence of events or actions. For example, "When I woke up, I made breakfast." Whereas is used to transition between contrasting ideas or to provide additional information. For example, "I like to swim, whereas my brother prefers to run."

Form

When is a single-word conjunction that is used to introduce a dependent clause. Whereas is a multi-word conjunction that is used to introduce a contrasting clause or to provide additional information. The form of these words can impact the flow and structure of a sentence, depending on the context in which they are used.

Examples

• When I go to the store, I always buy chocolate.
• When it rains, I like to stay indoors.
• Whereas I prefer tea, my friend likes coffee.
• Whereas some people enjoy spicy food, others prefer mild flavors.