50 Comments
Because there is a verbal group afterwards, so "pendant" becomes a conjunctive locution constructed with "que".
- pendant mon repas
- pendant que je mange.
It is a clause, basically, consisting of a verb + a couple of other words (a relative pronoun + a subject personal pronoun, like here)
We are simple students who don't glance at their English textbooks twice (or am I alone?). Can you tell us what a "verbal group" or "a conjunctive locution" or "a clause" means? (Thanks in advance)
If "pendant" is followed by a noun (mon repas) then it is just "pendant"
If "pendant" is followed by an action (je mange) then it is "pendant que"
Clauses come in four types: main [or independent], subordinate [or dependent], adjective [or relative], and noun. Every clause has at least a subject and a verb. Other characteristics will help you distinguish one type of clause from another.
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/clause.htm
Santa Clause
"Pendant" is a preposition that means "during" and "Pendant que" is a conjunction that means "While". It wouldn't make since to say "I speak during I eat" that's why it's "Pendant que" so it's proper speaking - "I speak while I eat"
"Tandis que" and "pendant que" are interchangeable.
However, "pendant" can also be a preposition: "pendant la nuit" whereas "tandis que" is only a conjunctive locution, introducing a subordinate clause.
I'm guessing it's because in French to say that you'd have to use either lorsque or quand since those both indicate when a person is doing something. Pendant indicates more duration of time, thus while you are eating.
The French sure have a lot of ways to say "while". How do you decide to use "pendant que", "alors que", or "lorsque"?
- when = quand/lorsque
- while = pendant que, alors que, tandis que
- whereas = tandis que, alors que
- even though = alors que, même si, quoique, bien que
So, beware, "tandis que" and "alors que" are not always temporal (context would tell).
wouldn't it be better to eat and after talk so we don't see what it is in his mouth.
It is a conjunctive locution which introduces temporal clauses and in this sentence it means "while".
Note that "pendant" alone translates "during": I speak during my meal.
pendant que is solely temporal
alors que can also express time or opposition or contradiction.
In this case, "pendant que" is preferable (no ambiguity on the whole meaning).
my mother language is not english but how about: I speak as i eat or i speak when i eat?
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My native language is not English as well, but I'm sure these sentences have different meanings. Par exemple, "I speak as I eat - slowly". Or "I speak when I eat (and only when I eat)". So "I speak WHILE I eat" describes the exact situation when you speak and eat at the same time.
Good comment, yes.
"I speak as I eat - slowly" = je parle comme je mange - lentement.
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I speak as I eat, I speak when I eat and I speak while I eat all have exactly the same meaning in English and all are correct. You have to be careful not to create distinctions where there really are none.
You have to be careful to learn words with their accurate meanings in context. This is how you can develop your vocabulary and start to express yourself with the expectation of being properly understood.
You can say it but it will sound less natural than "pendant" and it will have a slight difference in meaning: "alors que" can imply an opposition or a contradiction, whereas "pendant" is just temporal.
Quand and lorsque are interchangeable, except that "lorsque" cannot be used to ask a question.
Alors que can mean while, in both senses of the word: temporal or contradictory.
If, strictly speaking, "pendant" means "during", why is "while" acceptable and "when" not acceptable in this instance? As far as aI can see "when" and "while" mean pretty much exactly the same thing.
I speak whereas i eat Excuse anyone can explain me the why is not corret while =>whereas
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"Whereas" is used to indicate a contrast or conflict between two parts of a sentence. "I am studying, whereas she is watching television." Thus, "I speak whereas I eat" does not actually make sense.
why is the que used is there any use for that can we also say je parle pendant je mange
"pendant" is a preposition to be used before a noun.
To introduce a subordinate clause, you need a conjunction.
"pendant que" is a conjunction.
Why was "I talk when I eat" not accepted?"
I laughed at a comment below, as talking while (when) eating is not socially appropriate -- nor particularly safe!
