NAME:

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When and While

A. Complete the two grammar rules and examples for using the past simple and past
continuous with 'when' and 'while'.

1. ................. is used when you have a past continuous action followed by a past simple
action. The past simple action often interrupts the continuous one.

Example: I was watching a film ................. the phone rang.

2. ................. is used for two past continuous actions that happen at the same time.

Example: I was watching a film ................. my brother was talking on the phone.

B. Using the two rules, highlight the correct past tenses in each sentence with your
PDF software's highlighting tool.

1. Anna walked / was walking in the park when it started / was starting to rain.

2. We ate / were eating lunch when the doorbell rang / was ringing.

3. I did / was doing my homework while my mum made / was making dinner.

4. The children played / were playing cards when they heard / were hearing a scream.

5. We worked / were working when the fire alarm went / was going off.

6. Sheila texted / was texting her friend while her mum talked / was talking to her.

7. Amelia slept / was sleeping while her parents watched / were watching TV.

8. I cleaned / was cleaning the floor when the vase fell / was falling off the table.

C. Following the rules above, complete the story with the verbs in brackets in their
past simple or past continuous form.

Yesterday, I (1) ......................... (finish) my English homework

in my bedroom when I (2) ......................... (hear) a loud crash.

I (3) ......................... (go) outside and (4) .........................

(see) tree branches and leaves everywhere. It turned out my

neighbour (5) ......................... (cut) down his tree while I

(6) ....................... (do) my homework. He (7)......................... (apologize) to me and then

I (8)......................... (help) him clean up the mess. We (9) ......................... (clean) when

my mum (10) ......................... (call) me in for dinner. She didn't hear the loud noise

because she (11) ......................... (listen) to music on her headphones while she

(12) ......................... (prepare) dinner.

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 PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When and While

Both 'when' and 'while' can also be used when you have a past simple action that
comes before a past continuous action.

Example: He lost his wallet when/while we were shopping.

Remember, if you have a past continuous action followed by a past simple action, you
can only use 'when'.

Examples: We were shopping when he lost his wallet. (right)

We were shopping while he lost his wallet. (wrong)

D. Using the two rules above, highlight whether you can use 'when', 'while' or 'both'
as the missing word in each sentence.

1. I was washing my hair ............... the power went out. when / while / both

2. I hurt my back ............... I was lifting the piano. when / while / both

3. She was setting the table ............... she dropped the fork. when / while / both

4. The school bus arrived ............... I was talking to my friend. when / while / both

5. Tim broke his leg ............... he was snowboarding. when / while / both

6. I was taking a photo ............... the accident happened. when / while / both

E. Complete the sentences with your own ideas using the grammar rules above.

1. I was listening to the radio .........................................................................................

2. It started to rain .......................................................................................................

3. Someone knocked the door ........................................................................................

4. She was cooking dinner .............................................................................................

5. The girl cut her finger ................................................................................................

6. My computer crashed ................................................................................................

7. I was playing video games .........................................................................................

8. He was doing the laundry ..........................................................................................

9. I heard a loud noise while ..........................................................................................

10. I was playing football ..............................................................................................

11. I was driving to work ...............................................................................................

12. Someone stole my bag when ....................................................................................

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