Time to do & While/when

Question

Hi,1. (It's) time to go home.2. (It's) time for us to go home.3. It's time we go home.4. Going time! (Like drink time)a. When you come bring your suitcase.b. While you're coming bring your suitcase.c. When you're coming bring your suitcase.Which of them are OK?Thanks..

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

johner1. (It's) time to go home.

2. (It's) time for us to go home.

3. It's time we go home.

4. Going time! (Like drink time)

a. When you come bring your suitcase.

b. While you're coming bring your suitcase.

c. When you're coming bring your suitcase.

Which of them are OK?

I'm not happy with b or c, but the others are fine.

3. can also be It's time we went home. (Same meaning.)

a. usually takes a comma, thus: When you come, bring your suitcase.

b. suggests As long as you're coming, bring your suitcase, which is better.

c. doesn't sound right, and I don't think it can be saved.

CJ

Johner · Answer

Hi CJ,

How about; "While you're coming, stop by the grocery." ?

I often see native speakers use when and while arbitrarily. They can say: "When I was watching TV, I had my eyes full with tears.". But we've been taught this patterns: "when+simple tense" , "while+continuous tense". Do you think my teachers were wrong at some point?

They were not English speaking people anyway.

Thanks a lot.

CalifJim · Answer

johnerWhile you're coming, stop by the grocery.

As before, it's OK, but I prefer other ways of saying it.

As long as you're coming, stop by the grocery.

On your way, stop by the grocery store.

Could you stop by the supermarket on your way here?

johnerI often see native speakers use when and while arbitrarily.

Sometimes it is arbitrary; sometimes it may only seem arbitrary.

johnerwe've been taught this patterns: "when+simple tense" , "while+continuous tense". Do you think my teachers were wrong at some point?

No. They're not wrong. That is a fairly good rule to follow. Nevertheless, in many cases a simple tense can be used with while. The word while tends to force a continuous reading on the following verb even when that verb is in a simple tense. My favorite example is Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

johnerWhen I was watching TV, I had my eyes full with tears.

This is a bit unusual, I'd say.

There are a lot of posts on this topic. Try using the search box above, looking for 'when' and 'while'.

CJ

Johner · Answer

Hi,

CalifJimAs long as you're coming, stop by the grocery.

I didn't know "as long as" could also mean this. That's why I couldn't understand your example with "as long as" in your previous post. I see now.

CalifJim Try using the search box

I did and right after gave up

. Most of the threads redirect to the previous threads. But they're right because it's too complicated. I'm hoping not to encounter these complications much. Thanks.

CalifJim · Answer

johnerI didn't know "as long as" could also mean this.

I'm not sure which meaning you are thinking this means, so let's clarify.

as long as = given that = given the fact that

As long as you're in the kitchen, could you bring me a bottle of soda?

=

Given the fact that you're in the kitchen, could you bring me a bottle of soda?

while is possible, but less successful, if you want this concept - in my opinion.

CJ

Johner · Answer

Hi,

CalifJimAs long as you're in the kitchen, could you bring me a bottle of soda?

Hmm.. This example makes me start a new thread which won't be relevant to this topic

. Thanks again.

Time to do & While/when

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