While the applicant was having a job interview, I sat still in the next roo

Question

I'd be happy if someone would answer my questions. Thanks in advance.

Are the following 2 sentences correct? If so, what's the difference?

A: While the applicant was having a job interview, I sat still in the next room.

B: While the applicant had a job interview, I sat still in the next room.

Tarkowsky · Accepted Answer

Magic-dragon
I'd be happy if someone would answer my questions. Thanks in advance.

Are the following 2 sentences correct? If so, what's the difference?

A: While the applicant was having a job interview, I sat still in the next room.

B: While the applicant had a job interview, I sat still in the next room.

In my opinion both sentences are correct.

In A While introduces a time clause which draws attention to the duration of the activities

In B while (whereas) links two ideas that contrast with each other

Magic-dragon · Answer

--Hi, Tarkowsky. In B, I meant to express the duration of the act of having a job interview.
So I'd like an explanation of the difference in this terms.
Is B awkward as a sentence expressing Duration?

Tarkowsky · Answer

Magic-dragon--Hi, Tarkowsky. In B, I meant to express the duration of the act of having a job interview.
So I'd like an explanation of the difference in this terms.
Is B awkward as a sentence expressing Duration?

If your intent was to stress the duration of the action I would go for a continuous tense.Hence, A would be my choice.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Here's a small comment on the rest of the sentence.

I sat still in the next room. I sat motionless in the next room, ie I didn't move..

I still sat in the next room. I continued to sit in the next room.

Clive

While the applicant was having a job interview, I sat still in the next roo

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions