how to paraphrase this simple sentense?

[guzhao67]

HI there: could you paraphrase the following sentence for me please?
He swam when the bell rang.
generally speaking, simple past sentence introduce the activity as a whole, but i don't think the interpretation is right in this sentence. the swimming and the ringing of the bell cannot end at the same time in reality. any suggestion?
thank you very much;

 

[bhaisahab]

HI there: could you paraphrase the following sentence for me please?
He swam when the bell rang.
generally speaking, simple past sentence introduce the activity as a whole, but i don't think the interpretation is right in this sentence. the swimming and the ringing of the bell cannot end at the same time in reality. any suggestion?
thank you very much;

There is nothing wrong with it as it is, if you want it paraphrased, you could say: "When the bell rang he started swimming".

 

[fighting spirit]

Shouldn't it be:

He was swimming when the bell rang.

 

[bhaisahab]

Shouldn't it be:

He was swimming when the bell rang.

No, it shouldn't.