I'd say that it was on a "whim" but it doesn't even reach that level of consciousness! Just adding my ha'penn'orth...
Yeah, that's about the size of it, Jo. I'd use both
whilst and
while, probably the latter slightly more. I'd say I've good logical reasons for changing over - e.g.
whilst is used when the event concerned lasts a long time - but actually those reasons come after the fact.
Hmmm, then again!
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may feels like it
has to be "while". Implication of a limited duration?
The cats looked on whilst the birds sang sweet songsand
The cats looked on while the birds sang sweet songsare both equally good; but the latter feels less correct somehow.
And there's an unlimited or indeterminate duration here.
Anybody think there's something in this?
Are you there, Bingley?
