Past Continuous when vs while

IntermediateB1

Exercise 1 — 'when' for the interrupting event

'when' is followed by a short Past Simple action that interrupts an ongoing Continuous action: I was watching TV WHEN the phone rang.

Set:

I was walking home ___ I saw the accident.

whilewhen

She was cooking ___ the fire alarm went off.

whilewhen

They were playing football ___ it started to rain.

whilewhen

I was having a shower ___ someone knocked on the door.

whilewhen

He was reading ___ his phone rang.

whilewhen

She was sleeping ___ the earthquake hit.

whilewhen

We were eating lunch ___ the boss came in.

whilewhen

He was crossing the road ___ a car nearly hit him.

whilewhen

She was waiting for the bus ___ she met her old friend.

whilewhen

They were arguing ___ I arrived.

whilewhen

Past Continuous when vs while

IntermediateB1

Exercise 1 — 'when' for the interrupting event

'when' is followed by a short Past Simple action that interrupts an ongoing Continuous action: I was watching TV WHEN the phone rang.

Set:

I was walking home ___ I saw the accident.

whilewhen

She was cooking ___ the fire alarm went off.

whilewhen

They were playing football ___ it started to rain.

whilewhen

I was having a shower ___ someone knocked on the door.

whilewhen

He was reading ___ his phone rang.

whilewhen

She was sleeping ___ the earthquake hit.

whilewhen

We were eating lunch ___ the boss came in.

whilewhen

He was crossing the road ___ a car nearly hit him.

whilewhen

She was waiting for the bus ___ she met her old friend.

whilewhen

They were arguing ___ I arrived.

whilewhen