When I was replying to the message

[Silverobama]

When I was replying messages, my computer suddenly turned black and it turned out to be my student accidentally touched the line.

I wrote the above sentence but I don't think it's good. My student was with me and she was doing her homework. I didn't want to interrupt her so I also did my job. I was replying a friend's message online. Suddenly, the screen of my computer turned black and I later learned that it was my student who touched the line of power.

Please help me with a natural version of the italic sentence.

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

I was replying to messages when the computer turned black because my student had accidentally touched the line.

What line?

 

[Silverobama]

Try:

I was replying to messages when the computer turned black because my student had accidentally touched the line.

What line?

I don't think "line" is the right word here, perhaps "the power outlet"? I don't know how to say that, the line connected to my computer and to the outlet, she accidentally touched it and then the computer turned black.

 

[emsr2d2]

Try:

I was replying to messages when the computer turned black because my student had accidentally touched the line.

What line?

The "line of power" as it says later in the post. That would be the "power line/cable".

 

[emsr2d2]

Computers don't switch off just because someone touches the plug socket (outlet) or cable. If they did, computers would be randomly switching off left, right and centre! She must have done something more than just touch it.

 

[Tarheel]

@Silverobama @emsr2d2 If we are talking about the cord that plugs into the outlet that explains the reason for my confusion. Simply touching it (as has already been noted) will not make the computer lose power. Something else had to happen. Maybe it was accidentally pulled out of the socket.

 

[Silverobama]

Computers don't switch off just because someone touches the plug socket (outlet) or cable. If they did, computers would be randomly switching off left, right and centre! She must have done something more than just touch it.

She was sitting on the plastic chair in the picture, as we can see. And her legs were moving she was sitting there. Her leg touched the lines on the ground and we can see that there's socket (maybe, I don't know how to say that) connected to the outlet, because she was moving, so the thing connected to the outlet moved and my computer turned black.

Please take a look at the picture of where my student sat.

20240215211313 hosted at ImgBB

Image 20240215211313 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

How can I express this idea in simple words (by avoiding those technical content)?

 

[Tarheel]

The computer was unplugged from the outlet.

 

[5jj]

... my computer turned black.

... my computer screen turned black.

 

[Silverobama]

... my computer screen turned black.

Is there a whole and natural expression native speakers would use to describe what I've said?

 

[Tarheel]

@Silverobama It's a "cord" (American English). The cord was accidentally pulled from the outlet.

 

[dunchee]

When I was replying messages, my computer suddenly turned black and it turned out to be my student accidentally touched the line.

You can copy this example: https://www.dell.com/community/en/c...huts-down-if-touched/647f2d38f4ccf8a8de2aeb67
Title: Loose power cord, computer shuts down if touched

From your picture, I see "lines" and maybe part of the power cord. I can't tell if it's the plug that's loose, or like the example above, the computer power cable, so you'll have to replace some words yourself.

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

I was sending messages, and the computer screen suddenly turned black. My student had accidentally touched the line.

Or:

I was replying to messages, and the computer screen suddenly turned black because my student had accidentally touched the line.

You can use either of those or some variation of them.

When you are replying to messages you are in fact sending messages. You can use either one.

 

[probus]

Thread title edited. We reply TO a message. "Replying the message" is unnatural and incorrect.