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Stefan Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Past Continuous

0Hi,02br
02br
00Is there a problem with the following sentences?02br
02br
01font00While I was reading a newspaper, my wife was watching TV.02font02br
02br
01font00When I was reading a newspaper, my wife was watching TV.02font02br
02br
01font00When I was walking, I was talking to my friend.02font02br
02br
01font00While I was walking, I was talking to my friend.02font02br
02br
00Is Past Continuous possible in both the main and the subordinate clause, and if so, in what cases?02br
02br
00TIA02br
02br
00S.0-
  

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8 Answers
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0 01b00In your second and third sentences, as far as I know, the conjunction when can't be used with continuous verbs, can't it ?02b00 0-
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0 You may want to read:02br
050040pid300226
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1font00Personal choice: 'when' with two simultaneous actions when the duration is not of special importance [simple past]; 'while' with two simultaneous actions when the duration is being emphasized [past continuous]. I wouldn't use 'when' with the past continuous, but 'while' with the simple past is often heard.02font02br
02br
01font
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0 00WHILE00 I you02br
02br
00 was walking were watching TV (very common)02br
00 walked were watching TV (not so common)02br
00 was walking watched TV (not so common)02br
00 walked watched TV (co
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0 01blockquote
01cite10CalifJim12cite10WHILE10I you12br
12br
10was walking were watching TV (very common)12br
10walked were watching TV (not so common)12br
10was walking watched TV (not so common)12br
10
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0Hi CJ,02br
02br
00Can you give some examples to explain your explanation on WHEN and WHILE especially on 'states', 'events' and 'single acts'? 02br
02br
00'Typically, we use 01i00while02i00 with activities and states, 01i00when02i00 with events and single acts.'02br
02br
00Simon0-
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0 Two activities or states going on at the same time:02br
02br
00 While I was reading, Mary was cooking in the kitchen.02br
00 Marilyn slept while the children waited.02br
00 My brother sat and waited while I was talking on the phone.02br
00 While Helen was out shopping, George watched the children.02br
00 Nero fiddled whil
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0Thank you very much0-
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