while

while

We use while to link two long-lasting actions that continued for the same period of time in the past.

We use the past continuous tense for both actions.

Example

NOW

5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.

Tom and Mary were doing their homework.

Mum was cooking the dinner.

Tom and Mary were doing their homework while Mum was cooking the dinner.

Practice

NOW

5:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.6:00 p.m.

my sisters – tidy the living room

my brothers – sweep the floor

_____________________________________

_____________________

My sisters were tidying the living room

while my brothers were sweeping the floor.

Practice

NOW

3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.4:00 p.m.

my brother - play computer games

I – play the piano

_____________________________________

_____________________

My brother was playing computer games

while I was playing the piano.

when

When one thing happened at the time when another thing was happening, we use the past continuous tense for the longer action and the past tense for the shorter action.

when

We use when to link the two actions together.

Example

Tom was doing his homework when Mum came home.

NOW

5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.

Tom was doing his homework.

Mum came home.

Practice

______________________________Ray was swimming when he hurt his

leg.

NOW

2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

Ray - swim

Ray - hurt his leg

3:30 p.m.

Practice

______________________________

______________________________

The children were dancing when

they twisted their ankles.

NOW

5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

the children - dance

the children – twist their ankles

6:30 p.m.

THE END