Grammar question use of the word "while"

College Essays
1

<p>In one of my essays I used the sentence
“The question has troubled me while contemplating my future.” after writing a question.</p>

<p>I originally wanted to say “The question has troubled me when I contemplate my future.” but if you put the adverb clause in the beginning, the verb tenses clearly don’t work. “When I contemplate my future, the question has troubled me.” </p>

<p>Also, I want to convey that it happened multiple times over a period of time, so I can’t say “the question troubled me when I contemplated my future” because that would be for only one time.</p>

<p>I think if “while” is modifying “me” then I am ok, but if “while” is modifying “has troubled” then it sounds like the question is contemplating my future.</p>

<p>If “while” does modify the verb, I think what I meant “The question has troubled me while I have been contemplating my future.” In this case could the “I have been” be implyed? I think it sounds better without it, but I’m not sure if it is gramatically correct.</p>

<p>I’d really appreciate any advice as I plan on using this in another essay.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Why not say “The question troubles me when I contemplate my future”? </p>

<p>If you really want to imply past actions, then go with something like “The question has troubled me when I have contemplated my future.”</p>

3

<p>“The question has troubled me while contemplating my future.” –> the question is not contemplating your future, you are. You could say:</p>

<p>“The question has troubled me as I contemplate my future.” Or you could switch the order around: “As I (have) contemplated my future, this/the question has troubled me.”</p>

4

<p>I favor honied dreams’ last offering, without the word “have.”
Some more ways:
The question troubled me whenever I contemplated my future.
When (As, Whenever) I contemplated my future, this question troubled me.</p>

5

<p>You’re right, it does sound like the question is contemplating the future. Less wordy, but incorrect. It’s an innocent mistake, and I’m sure it’s hard to notice in the context of the response since the adcoms don’t really read essays looking for SAT mistakes, but want to find out more about you as an applicant. </p>

<p>For future versions, it might be best to say, “I have been troubled by this question when contemplating the future.” or “When contemplating the future, I have been troubled by this question (often).”</p>

<p>This way, you avoid writing passively.</p>