Buddy42
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- German
- Home Country
- Germany
- Current Location
- Germany
Dear teachers,
when it comes to the word "when" I'm repeatedly confused. At school we learn that "when" is followed by the simple past and not by the past progressive. In contrast, the past progressive is often preceded by "while" if there is no subordinate clause beginning with "when".
Let's take the variations of the following sentence:
1. While the children were playing outside, my husband cleaned the floor.
2. The children were playing outside when my husband decided to clean the floor.
These two correspond to the rules mentioned above.
When reading books I often come across sentences similar to
3. When the children were playing outside, my husband decided to clean the floor.
Is no. 3 correct in written English?
when it comes to the word "when" I'm repeatedly confused. At school we learn that "when" is followed by the simple past and not by the past progressive. In contrast, the past progressive is often preceded by "while" if there is no subordinate clause beginning with "when".
Let's take the variations of the following sentence:
1. While the children were playing outside, my husband cleaned the floor.
2. The children were playing outside when my husband decided to clean the floor.
These two correspond to the rules mentioned above.
When reading books I often come across sentences similar to
3. When the children were playing outside, my husband decided to clean the floor.
Is no. 3 correct in written English?