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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Subordinate conjunction "while" compatible with present perfect tense?

Hi. Please help. I am sure there was a thread in either the General English Grammar Questions Section or the Basic English Grammar Questions Sections that touched on the subject of whether the subordinate clause that starts with the conjunction "while" is compatible (or correct to use) with the present perfect tense. But now I don't think I can locate it, so I am asking for help here.

Is this correct?

He has met a nice person while staying in Italy for a vacation.

How about this?

He has met his brother while staying in a camp overnight.

Come to think of it, this sentence might be more natural.

He met his brother while staying in a camp overnight three weeks ago.

Then, would you say this is correct?

He met (has met?) his brother while staying in a camp overnight approximately three weeks ago.
  

Top answer

Past simple is correct. I think "while staying" (subject + be left out) is rather formal. Maybe it's better to say: while he was staying.

— Anonymous

  • Past simple is correct.
  • I think "while staying" (subject + be left out) is rather formal.
  • Maybe it's better to say: while he was staying.
  • JK
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1 Answers
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Past simple is correct.

I think "while staying" (subject + be left out) is rather formal.

Maybe it's better to say: while he was staying.

JK
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