So Long As

Describing Actions Using While, As, As/So Long As While and as are used to describe actions that occur at the same moment that something is in progress. While and as are sometimes confused with the preposition during. Both express the same idea, but the structures are different. While and as are time expressions and take a subject and verb. During is a preposition and is used with a noun or noun phrase. Take a look at the following examples to note the difference. Notice how the meaning remains the same in both structures: During We discussed the situation during lunch. (noun) They are going to visit the Empire State Building during their visit to New York (noun phrase). When / As We discussed the situation while we were eating lunch. (full adverb time clause with subject and verb) They are going to visit the Empire State Building as they visit New York. (full adverb time clause with subject and verb) Future: Use while or as to state something that occurs at the same moment that something else - the main focus of the sentence - important will occur. Time clause: present simple Main clause: future form Examples: Were going to speak about the modifications as you eat lunch.Shell work out the order details while we discuss what to do next. Present: Use while or as to express what always happens when something else important takes place. This use of while and as is not as common as the time expression when. Notice that the preposition during is often used in place of while or as to express the same idea. Time clause: present simple Main clause: present simple Examples: He usually has lunch while he takes a walk around the campus.Angela often takes notes as the meeting progresses. Past: While and as are used in the past to express an action that was occurring at the moment when something important happened. While and as are also used to express two actions that were happening at the same moment in the past. Time clause: past simple OR past continuous Main clause: past simple OR past continuous Examples: Doug was drying the dishes while we were watching TV.Peter took notes as we discussed the merger. During an Entire Period of Time As long as and so long as are similar in use to while and as. However, as / so long as is used for longer period of times, while when and as are used for more specific, shorter periods of time. As / so long as are also used to stress that something will happen, happens or happened over the entire period of time in an emphatic manner. Although examples are provided for ​the past, present and future, as long as and so long as are generally used with future forms. Notice the use of tenses: Future: Use so / as long as that something will not happen for the entire period of time expressed by the time clause with as / so long as. Time clause: present simple Main clause: future form Examples: I will never play golf as long as I live.She will never return so long as she breathes. Present: Use as / so long as to express that something happens or doesnt happen over the entire period of time that another event occurs. Time clause: present simple Main clause: present simple Examples: As long as he plays piano, I go for a walk.She visits with her month, so long as her husband has to take care of business in town. Past: Use as / so long as to describe an action that did or didnt occur over a longer period of time in the past. Time clause: past simple ï » ¿Main clause: past simple OR past continuous Examples: She didnt get any exercise as long as she was working 60 hours a week.Peter didnt enjoy his company so long as he was in the house.