find the mistake

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vkhu

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Find and correct the mistake:
When
(A) I walked(B) into(C) my office, I found tom was using(D) my telephone

My teacher said the answer is A but I don't see how it could be incorrect. I think D sounds more likely to be the answer (it should be just "using" right). Any idea?

If it's A then please help me correct it.
 

5jj

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When I walked into my office, I found [STRIKE]t[/STRIKE] Tom was using my telephone.

That sentence is possible. The following is more likely, in my opinion:

When I walked into my office, I found Tom using my telephone.

In any case, 'walked' is correct.
 

vkhu

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When I walked into my office, I found [STRIKE]t[/STRIKE] Tom was using my telephone.

That sentence is possible. The following is more likely, in my opinion:

When I walked into my office, I found Tom using my telephone.

In any case, 'walked' is correct.
Then what about "when"?
 

5jj

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BobSmith

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Find and correct the mistake:
When
(A) I walked(B) into(C) my office, I found tom was using(D) my telephone

My teacher said the answer is A but I don't see how it could be incorrect. I think D sounds more likely to be the answer (it should be just "using" right). Any idea?

If it's A then please help me correct it.

"When" is fine. What does your teacher say is the correction to (A)?
 

emsr2d2

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I will hazard a wild guess and suggest that the teacher thought (A) should be "As". I agree with the OP that "I found Tom using my telephone" would be more natural.
 

billmcd

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Use of "when" with past continuous, "was using" is fine/typical. If your teacher says that "A" is not correct, what is his/her correct form?
 

vkhu

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Use of "when" with past continuous, "was using" is fine/typical. If your teacher says that "A" is not correct, what is his/her correct form?
She said it was supposed to be "as" but I don't see any different.
 

Tdol

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You could use as, but when is fine. In fact, I prefer when.
 

billmcd

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Use of "when" suggests "at the moment of entry", whereas "as" suggests "during" the entrance to the room which could begin outside the entrance and end after actual entrance. A trivial difference in your example and I (not you) would argue the point with your teacher.
 
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