AS with past or past continuous?

Question

Which are right?1 As I walked toward them, they walked toward me.2 As I walked towards them/As I was walking toward them, they kissed each other.3 As we kissed each other/As we were kissing each other, they walked toward us.thank youalc

Alc24 · Accepted Answer

one more thing

What about

As I walked toward them, they were kissing each other.

As I was walking toward them, they were kissing each other.

CalifJim · Answer

There's nothing grammatically wrong with any of your examples.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

thank you for your answer

I personally think they are all correct except for

As I walked toward them, they were kissing each other.

As I was walking toward them, they were kissing each other.

could someone tell me what they think

because the continuous can't be in the second part if the first part is the past simple?

thank you

CalifJim · Answer

alc24the continuous can't be in the second part if the first part is the past simple

I don't know where you got that idea. I've never heard of such a thing. You may prefer both clauses in the same tense for aesthetic effect, but there's nothing ungrammatical going on here.

As I peeled the potatoes, Karen was rinsing the carrots.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

I'd go with

As I was peeling the potatoes, Karen rinsed the carrots

As is the same as while and In ther WHILE clause, its always the continuous, and when its not its past simple and past simple

as in

As I peeled the potatoes, Karen rinsed the carrots.

could someone else give me their opinion??

thank you

alc

CalifJim · Answer

alc24I'd go with

As I was peeling the potatoes, Karen rinsed the carrots

Me too, but the reverse isn't actually ungrammatical.

As you say, maybe someone else will offer another opinion.

CJ

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I agree with CJ.

Clive

Alc24 · Answer

Hi CJ,

I was going over this thread and you said that all were possible, but could you let me know which you are more likely to say yourself next to each sentence please? and if you wouldn't say them, are some less grammatical?

1 As I walked toward them, they walked toward me.
2 As I walked towards them/As I was walking toward them, they kissed each other.
3 As we kissed each other/As we were kissing each other, they walked toward us.
4 As I walked toward them, they were kissing each other.
5 As I was walking toward them, they were kissing each other.
6 As I peeled the potatoes, Karen was rinsing the carrots.
7 As I was peeling the potatoes, Karen rinsed the carrots

Speaking of continuous and simple
Which would you say there please?

I'll do my hair while I watch/am watching the movie.

Thank you so much

CalifJim · Answer

1 As I walked toward them, they walked toward me. OK.
2 As I walked towards them/As I was walking toward them, they kissed each other. Both OK. I'd probably say the first. It's hard to decide.
3 As we kissed each other/As we were kissing each other, they walked toward us. Both OK. I'd probably say the second. It's hard to decide.

4 As I walked toward them, they were kissing each other. OK.
5 As I was walking toward them, they were kissing each other. OK.

6 As I peeled the potatoes, Karen was rinsing the carrots. OK.

7 As I was peeling the potatoes, Karen rinsed the carrots. OK.

I can't decide between 4 and 5 or between 6 and 7. I don't even have a feel for what you are trying to figure out here. They're all OK. In the general case, however, it's probably more usual not to have both clauses in an -ing tense. Also, personally, I usually place the as clause last:

Karen rinsed the carrots as I peeled/was peeling the potatoes.

I would have used that order on all of your examples.
____________

Which would you say there please?

I'll do my hair while I watch/am watching the movie.

"do my hair" is only appropriate for a woman to say, so Iwouldn't say either of these.

However, I can imagine a woman saying either one. They both mean the same thing to my ear. Note just one subtle difference, which may just be my personal imagination at work:am watching seems to indicate that the plan will be carried out quite soon; watch seems to indicate that the plan will be carried out a little later. The difference is not really significant because it can easily be cancelled with an adverb: ... while I'm watching the movie tomorrow.

CJ

AS with past or past continuous?

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