WHILE

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which are correct?the following is what I think, can someone give me input.While he was sleeping, I watched TV       OKWhile he was sleeping, I was watching TV      OKWhile he slept, I was watching TV     NOWhile he slept, I watch TV     OKThan you

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hi Alc,

The first, second and third are all grammatically fine. The fourth is wrong because "slept" refers to a past action, whereas "watch" refers to a present action: the sentence implies that while he slept (past tense), you are currently watching TV--which doesn't make sense!

Regards,

Sam

Fandorin · Answer

alc24Which are correct?

The following is what I think, can someone give me input?

While he was sleeping, I watched TV OK

While he was sleeping, I was watching TV OK

While he slept, I was watching TV OK.

While he slept, I watched TV NO. Because of sequence of tenses.

Thank you

Please, use punctuation, commas and comply with general rules of grammar so the others can take advantage of your post.

Alc24 · Answer

That last one was a typo,   I'm pretty sure 3 isn't grammatically correct, could others shed some light?

CalifJim · Answer

Point of clarification. Are you saying that both of the following are ungrammatical in your opinion, or only the first?

While he slept, I was watching TV.
I was watching TV while he slept.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

I'd say both are wrong, Its the same sentence but reversed

I'd go with While I was watching TV, He slept.

what do you think?

CalifJim · Answer

I don't think the word "ungrammatical" fits the situation, but I do agree that there are certain preferences for one way or another of saying things.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

Hi CJ

Could you please help with this as I'm not sure of it

How would you say this and are they correct?

1 She sang while being recorded./while she was being recorded.
2 She was recorded while she was singing.
3 Someone recorded her while she was singing.

(is this a matter of which action is longest as the action that's longest is in the "while" clause?

Thank you CJ

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Just a quick point for future reference. When you use "while" in the construction, use "it" on the event that takes the longer time. i.e. While I was waiting for dinner to be ready, I went to take a shower.
"While I was on the phone with Julie last night, Paul came by to borrow my note"

Fandorin · Answer

dimsumexpressJust a quick point for future reference. When you use "while" in the construction, use "it" on the event that takes the longer time. i.e. While I was waiting for dinner to be ready, I went to take a shower. "While I was on the phone with Julie last night, Paul came by to borrow my note"

I haven't found any "it" in your examples. Can you elaborate?

CalifJim · Answer

1 She sang while being recorded./while she was being recorded. Grammatical, but I would not use these.
2 She was recorded while she was singing. OK. Or, as she was singing or as she sang.
3 Someone recorded her while she was singing. OK. Same alternatives as above.

alc24the action that's longest is in the "while" clause?

That is the typical pattern. Yes. Nevertheless, both actions can be simultaneous, and thus of equal length.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

So it may be better to recast the 'rule' differently, thus: The more central action is in the while clause. The main clause tells what action accompanied the central action.

This is no different from the use of with. Peter went with me to the meeting. My going to the meeting is the central fact. Peter accompanies me. (It seems backwards, but that's how it works.)

CJ

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