Grammar rules
What tense do we use for an action that interrupted another?
Past simple :P
I __________ (cook) dinner when the phone rang.
Was cooking
When I was run, I fell.
Error: "was run" → Correct: "was running"
I was reading a book (when / while) she came in.
when
I was eating dinner – He called
When he called, I was eating dinner.
What tense do we use to describe an action in progress in the past?
They __________ (watch) TV while I __________ (study).
Were watching /was studying
As they cooked, the guests was arriving.
Error: "was arriving" → Correct: "were arriving"
(While / When) they were playing, the lights went off.
While
She was reading – I was writing
While she was reading, I was writing.
What’s the difference between “when” and “while”?
When" is often used with a shorter action (past simple); "while" with a longer action (past continuous)
As she __________ (walk) home, it __________ (start) to rain.
Was walking / Started
He listening music when the doorbell rang.
Error: "listening" → Correct: "was listening"
She was studying (when / as) he arrived.
when
I saw a dog – I was jogging
As I was jogging, I saw a dog.
What word(s) can we use to connect two simultaneous past actions?
We can use "While" or/and "As"
When he __________ (arrive), we __________ (have) lunch.
Arrived / were having
While I cleaned the house, my brother was played video games.
Error: "was played" → Correct: "was playing"
(As / When) I was walking down the street, I saw a cat.
As
The teacher entered – We were chatting
When the teacher entered, we were chatting.
Explain the structure: “While + subject + ____ + verb-ing”
Was or Were
While we __________ (play) football, my sister __________ (do) her homework.
were playing / was doing
We was walking to the park when it was started raining.
Errors: "was walking" → "were walking"; "was started" → "started"
He called me (while / when) I was taking a shower.
While
I was dancing – My phone rang
While I was dancing, my phone rang.