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Nkspb Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

The Present Simple after when/while

Hello!

Could you, please, help me - is it correct to use the Present Simple after when/while meaning an action in process (not now)?

Here's an example:

"I am very concentrated when I play the game."

?

Thanks for any help.
  

Top answer

nkspb meaning an action in process (not now)? To an English speaker, this is impossible. In the context of the present tense, an action can't be both "in process" and "not now".

— CalifJim

  • nkspb meaning an action in process (not now)?
  • To an English speaker, this is impossible.
  • In the context of the present tense, an action can't be both "in process" and "not now".
  • "in process" implies "now".
  • You can use these: I concentrate hard when I play the game.
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4 Answers
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nkspbmeaning an action in process (not now)?
To an English speaker, this is impossible. In the context of the present tense, an action can't be both "in process" and "not now". "in process" implies "now".

You can use these:

I concentrate hard when I play the game.
I concentrate hard when I'm playing the game.
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Thank, CJ.

I see what you mean. I wanted to say an action of continuous nature.

Interesting why does the Present Simple works here? I couldn't find a rule that describes this usage, all I found was that we use it when we are talking about habits, regular actions etc. This usage remind me the one with the Past Simple after while, when we can use it with an action that's a lengthy
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nkspbInteresting why does the Present Simple works work here?
With the auxiliary do, always use the plain form of the verb. (does ... work)
nkspbwe use it when we are talking about habits, regular actions etc.
Yes. That's right. When you start with I co
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