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Talking on phone and looking at newbornWhen / While

Introducing clauses of same-time activity

 

 

 

 

 

Same-time Events
WHEN WHILE

The adverb when introduces an activity that 1) is a short interruption, 2) occurs at nearly the same time or shortly after another activity.   A nonprogressive verb form is commonly used (short duration).

The adverb while introduces an activity that occurs during or at the same time as another activity.   A progressive verb form is commonly used (longer duration).

  When you called, he was watching his baby. (short interruption; "at the moment")
when - same time

While he was talking on the phone, he was describing his baby. (ongoing; "during the time")
while -during the time

  When you called, he picked up his cell phone. (series of events; "immediately after")
when - immediately after

While he was talking on the phone, his baby slept. (ongoing; "during the time")
while -during the time

An ADVERBIAL CLAUSE modifies the verb.  It is a dependent clause. It cannot stand alone.  It answers the question: When?, How? or Why?  

When did it happen?  LONG ANSWER: while he was talking on the phone  SHORT ANSWER:  while talking on the phone.

 

 

 

Punctuation  
NO COMMA COMMA

No comma is used with standard word order – adverb clause occurs after first activity.

A comma separates the clauses to mark a change in word order – adverb clause occurs before main activity / clause.

He was watching his baby when you called.

When you called, he was watching his baby.

He was describing his newborn while he was talking on the phone.

While he was talking on the phone, he was describing his newborn.

 

 

 

Common Mistake
ERROR FIX 

* While he called me, he was driving to work.

  The adverb while introduces an activity of longer duration: calling or dialing is a short action.

 

When he called me, he was driving to work.
Change while to when. (when = interruption)

 While he was talking on the phone with me, he was driving to work.
Change the acitivity to one of longer duration.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice

Monkey on the roofCombining Sentences with Simultaneous Activities

same time = simultaneous  

 

 

  1. Combine the two sentences into one sentence by creating an adverbial clause with when or while. 
  2. Enter your response.   Apply punctuation rules. 
  3. Use the "check buttons" to compare your response to the answer.
# YOUR RESPONSE ANSWER
1.  I was making dinner.   My sister was watching television.

RESPONSE 1:

 
2. We were watching the movie called "King Kong".   A friend came over.
RESPONSE 2: 

 

 
3. We were watching the movie.  We were laughing about its unlikely plot (story).
RESPONSE 3: 

unlikely plot = impossible events that form the story

 

 
4. The the movie ended. We turned off the TV.
RESPONSE 4: 

 

 
5. I was talking on the phone.  My friend was reading magazines.
RESPONSE 5: 

 

 
6.   My friend stood up to leave.  It was midnight.
RESPONSE 6: 

 

 
7. doorknobHe touched the door knob.  (first activity)  We heard a thud on the roof.  (second activity)
RESPONSE 7: 

thud (n.) = loud heavy sound

 
8. He looked at me. (first activity) I said, "King Kong?" (second activity)
RESPONSE 8: 

 

 

9. He opened the front door. (first activity)  We saw nothing but leaves and branches. (second activity)
RESPONSE 9: 

 

 
10. Morning came. (first activity) A truck lifted our "King Kong" off the roof. (second activity)
RESPONSE 10: 

 

 
  fallen tree tree removal