I was doing/I did

[Sarah18]

Hello!
Could you correct these examples, please if they are wrong and tell me if both options are possible?

1. But while I was doing/did the language course, I met lots of young people from all over the world.
2. But last year I was not working/did not work hard enough for English, that's why my marks were not really that good then. Thank you.

 

[teechar]

Hello Sarah18, and welcome to the forum.
Is there a reason the above sentences start with "but"?

 

[Sarah18]

Hello Sarah18, and welcome to the forum.
Is there a reason the above sentences start with "but"?

Thank you They are from this test https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/language-course
I also wanted to ask another question about the first sentence from this test. Maybe it would be better to start a new thread for my new question?

 

[Sarah18]

In #1 the progressive form is appropriate. It emphasises the ongoing duration of the course.
In #2, both forms are possible. We can think of the work extending over a yea,r or as a completed situation in the year.

Please ask a question about a different sentence in a new thread.

I will post my question now.

Should while be always followed by past continuous?

 

[teechar]

Should while be always followed by past continuous?

No. For example,
Can you please mind the kids while I mow the lawn?

 

[Sarah18]

No. For example,
Can you please mind the kids while I mow the lawn?

I mean when talking about an action that started and continued in the past like in this sentence: But while I was doing/did the language course, I met lots of young people from all over the world.

 

[teechar]

The past simple (not the continuous) is used with stative verbs.

While he owned that building, he never allowed anyone to go inside it.

 

[Sarah18]

The past simple (not the continuous) is used with stative verbs.

While he owned that building, he never allowed anyone to go inside it.

But my example doesn't have a stative verb.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'while I was doing something' refers to the moment of doing something.

While I was doing homework, my phone rang.