The Grammar Lab: Past Continuous (While vs. When)

The Grammar Lab: Past Continuous

Lesson 07: While vs. When

The Long & The Short

We use Past Continuous for a long action that was happening in the past. We often use it with Past Simple (a short action) that interrupts it.

WAS / WERE + VERB-ING

🌊 Long Action (Background) ⚡ Short Action (Interruption)

While + Long Action 🌊

Start

End

Use While before the Continuous verb (-ing). (នៅពេលដែលកំពុង...)

While I was sleeping...

While she was cooking...

While they were playing...

When + Short Action ⚡

X

Use When before the Simple Past verb (ED/Irregular). (ស្រាប់តែ...)

...when the phone rang.

...when he arrived.

...when it started to rain.

Combinations 🔄

You can put the "While" part at the beginning or the middle.

While I was reading, he called.	Use Comma (,)
He called while I was reading.	No Comma

Pick the Linker

Click to see if you need "While" or "When".

___ I was walkingCheck Answer

___ the car crashedCheck Answer

___ we were eatingCheck Answer

___ the lights went outCheck Answer

Quick Check

1. I was watching TV _____ my mom called.

2. _____ she was driving, she saw a cat.

3. He broke his leg while he _____ skiing.