Tense rephrasing

1.- During + noun = While + subject + continuous for

(present or past)
a. During the fireworks, our friend disappeared.
b. While I was having our dance class, I sprained my ankle.
c. We will talk about the trip during break time.
d. During our stay in the hotel, the lift failed three times.
e. While we are on holidays, he will feed our cat.

2.- Past simple+ ago/last/in/first = present perfect simple or

continuous + for/since
5.- When + past simple?=How long + present perfect?
a. I last planted this kind of flowers in my garden when my son was born
b. How long have you been living in London?.
c. The last time she was her brother was when they left school.
d. He started painting this large painting last year.
e. When did he start working in this factory?
f. We first came to this campsite three years ago and we still spend our
holidays here.
g. They began their friendship 15 years ago.
h. When did you move to your new flat?

3.- Past simple + for the first,second,third..time = This is

the first, second, thirdtime + present perfect

a. Yesterday I failed my driving test for the second time this year.
b. He found a 500eros note for the first time two years ago and he did it again
yesterday.
c. Yesterday he visited the dentist for the third time this week.

4.- Its ages/years/ along timesince + last +past simple =

present perfect + for
a. They havent opened the door of that room for ages.
b. Its ten years since we last saw our home town.
c. Its half an hour since I last received a message from him.
d. We havent seen our parents for a long time.

6.- Two simple sentences in past simple = subordinated

clauses
As soon as/only after/when +past perfect simple past
Before/by the time +simple past past perfect
a. They were engaged for ten years. Then they got married.
Only after
b. The neighbours extinguished the fire. The fire engine arrived.
By the time
c. The trees sprouted. Then he pruned the branches.
When he
d. I heard the news. Then I told you.
As soon as I