as I watched him perform on the stage

[GoodTaste]

Do you think that I've used the past tense correctly here? Should I use past continuous ("as I was watching him...")?

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I was reciting a Shakepears' poem quietly in my mind as I watched him perform on the stage.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Do you think that I've used the past tense correctly here? Should I use past continuous ("as I was watching him...")?

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I was reciting a Shakepeare poem quietly in my mind as I watched him perform on the stage.

Either way is fine. I like the simple past tense watched better.

 

[PeterCW]

In colloquial English you would normally just say "on stage" if it was during a formal theatrical or concert performance. You would only use the article if there was some doubt about the location, for example if you were watching a rehearsal.