"The man looked in a mirror *while* he buttoned up his shirt."

[z7655431]

"The man looked in a mirror while he buttoned up his shirt." (Learn 1100 English Words with Illustrations)
Is WHILE the right word here? I think "while" refers to a period of time, so it usually goes with "be verbs" or is used in the progressive tense. How about I change it to WHEN? Will that be more natural?

 

[Piscean]

While is fine. Buttoning up a shirt is not a punctual activity.

 

[Tarheel]

The word "while" is the perfect word there. Nothing would be more natural.

If it's in a book you can't change it.

What was the word being illustrated? Mirror?

 

[z7655431]

The word "while" is the perfect word there. Nothing would be more natural.

If it's in a book you can't change it.

What was the word being illustrated? Mirror?

It was "button up".

 

[jutfrank]

The word "while" is the perfect word there. Nothing would be more natural.

You don't think as is just as good or better?

 

[Tarheel]

I suppose you could use "as," but the question wasn't about that.