The use of when and while

1. The use of when and while

2. While
• We use while to link two continuous
actions that happened at the same time
in the past.
• We use the past continuous tense for
both actions.

3. while
Tom and Mary were doing their homework.
NOW
5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Mum was cooking the dinner.
Tom and Mary were doing their homework
while Mum was cooking the dinner.

4. while
Tom was eating.
NOW
5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Tom was watching TV.
Tom was eating while he was watching TV.

5. When
We use when to link a long action and a
short action.
We use the past continuous tense for the
long action. We use the past tense for
the
short action.

6. when
Tim was doing his homework.
NOW
5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Mum came home at 6:30 p.m.
Tim was doing his homework
when Mum came home.

7. when
Tim was taking a shower.
NOW
5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
The doorbell rang.
Tim was taking a shower when
the doorbell rang.

8. Two actions were happening at the same time in the past
(draw a picture) (smile)
was drawing a picture while he was smiling.
John __________________________________________

9. A long action was happening and then a short action
happened in the past.
(use the computer) (the computer break down)
was using the computer when the computer
Mr.Lee ______________________________________
broke down.
_______________________

10. A long action was happening and then a short action
happened in the past.
(Grandma fall on the floor) (Mary skip)
fell on the floor when Mary was skipping
Grandma ______________________________________

11. Two actions were happening at the same time in the past
(The man eat)
(The women chat)
were chatting while the man was eating.
The women _____________________________________

12. Note:
e.g. 1. I was cooking dinner when I burnt my arm. 
2. I burnt my arm while I was cooking dinner. 
We can also use ‘while’ in the second sentence, but while
must be followed by past continuous tense.
I was cooking dinner while I burnt my arm 