Basic Details
Word: Whereas
Part of Speech: Conjunction
Meaning: While on the other hand; it is used to show how two facts are different.
Synonyms: while, although, but
How to Spell Whereas
Syllables: where - as
Tricky part: Where and as join with nothing lost, so the e of where stays. Students write wheras or drop the h: wereas.
Watch out for: wheras, wereas, wherease
Memory tip: Write where, then the tiny word as: where + as. Keep the e at the end of where, and the word ends in -reas.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Rohit loves cricket, whereas his twin sister prefers chess.
Example 2: Summers in Chennai are humid, whereas Delhi summers are dry and dusty.
Example 3: Some students revise at night, whereas others study best at dawn.
Fun Fact
Formal resolutions and treaties often open with a list of reasons, each starting with Whereas, so lawyers call these the whereas clauses.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the correctly spelt compound word:
a) whereas
b) therfore
c) nevertheles
d) alltogether
Show answer
a) whereas. Therefore keeps the e of there, nevertheless ends in ss, and altogether has one l.
Word Cookie
One word in this sentence is misspelt. Find it:
My elder brother is a night owl who studies until midnight, wheras I am in bed by ten.
a) elder
b) midnight
c) studies
d) wheras
Show answer
d) wheras. The first part is the whole of where, final e included, and only then does as follow.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word whereas as used in the sentence:
The northern states shiver in December, whereas Kerala stays warm and green all through the winter.
a) while
b) unless
c) so
d) because
Show answer
a) while. The sentence sets two different climates side by side, and while can do the same job.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Whereas is used to ____.
a) say when something happened
b) show a difference between two facts
c) give the reason for something
d) add one more example
Show answer
b) show a difference between two facts
2. Which pair of facts could be joined with whereas?
a) She studied hard; she passed.
b) It rained; the ground got wet.
c) I was hungry; I ate my lunch.
d) Cats love to sleep; dogs love to play.
Show answer
d) Cats love to sleep; dogs love to play.
