JLPT N3・N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜ついでに” and “〜ながら”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜ついでに” and “〜ながら”
2. AついでにB
3. AながらB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: What is the difference between “〜ついでに” and “〜ながら”?

A: “〜ついでに” is used when you take the opportunity of doing one thing to do something else as well, while “〜ながら” is used when two actions are performed at the same time.

Let’s take a closer look.

AついでにB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
Take the opportunity of doing A to do B as well

[Rules]
[Ｖ] Verb dictionary form / た form + ついでに
[Ｎ] Noun of a する verb + の + ついでに

[Examples]
席せきを立たったついでにお茶ちゃをいれました。
I made tea while I was up from my seat.

買かい物もののついでに祖母そぼの家いえに行いきました。
I visited my grandmother’s house while I was out shopping.

散歩さんぽのついでに郵便ゆうびんを出だしてきました。
I mailed the letter while I was out for a walk.

ジムに行いくついでに銀行ぎんこうに行いきます。
I’ll go to the bank while I’m on my way to the gym.

AながらB (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
Do A and B at the same time

[Rule]
[Ｖ] Verb stem form + ながら

[Examples]
いつも音楽おんがくを聞ききながら勉強べんきょうしています。
I always study while listening to music.

姉あねはアルバイトをしながら大学だいがくに通かよっています。
My sister works part-time while attending university.

コーヒーを飲のみながら新聞しんぶんを読よみました。
I drank coffee while reading the newspaper.

今いまから説明せつめいするのでメモしながら聞きいてください。
I’m going to explain now, so please listen while taking notes.

Let’s Compare

[AついでにB]

With “ついでに”, there is first an original or primary action, A.
It means that you take the opportunity of doing A to do an additional action, B.
A and B do not have to happen at exactly the same time.

[Examples]
席せきを立たったついでにお茶ちゃをいれました。
I made tea while I was up from my seat.
⇒ I already had a reason to get up, and I used that opportunity to make tea as well.

外そとへ行いくついでに、この手紙てがみを出だしてくれない？
Could you mail this letter while you’re out?
⇒ The speaker is asking the listener to take the opportunity of going out to mail the letter as well.

In other words,

A = the original or primary action
B = an additional action done by taking advantage of that opportunity

This is the relationship between A and B.

[AながらB]

“ながら” expresses that the two actions A and B are performed at the same time.
Basically, B is the main action of the sentence.

[Examples]
いつも音楽おんがくを聞ききながら勉強べんきょうしています。
I always study while listening to music.
⇒ “Listening to music” and “studying” are happening at the same time. The main action of the sentence is “studying.”

パートの仕事しごとをしながら子供こどもを育そだてています。
I’m raising my child while working part-time.
⇒ This expresses that the two activities, “working part-time” and “raising a child,” are continuing over the same period of time.

Unlike “ついでに,” “ながら” does not have the meaning of taking the opportunity of doing A to do B as well.

Summary

[AついでにB]

• There is an original action or purpose, A.
• You take the opportunity of doing A to do B as well.
• A and B do not have to happen at exactly the same time.

[AながらB]

• A and B are performed at the same time.
• B is basically the main action of the sentence.
• It can be used for both short actions and activities that continue over a longer period of time.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

---

---