1. Primary Longman Elect
5B Chapter 6
while / when

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

4. 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.

5. when Tim was doing his homework when Mum came home.
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.

6. Use the past continuous tense
Key structure
A man was talking on his mobile phone
while
he was driving his van.
Use the past continuous tense
We use while to link two continuous actions that happened at the same time in the past.
I was cooking noodles
when
I burnt my arm.

7. Practice She ____________ when she ______________________ .
burn herself / iron the clothes
She ____________ when she ______________________ .
burnt herself
was ironing the clothes

8. Practice Mr Ho ____________________ while Mrs Ho _______________
read the newspaper / talk on her mobile phone
Mr Ho ____________________ while Mrs Ho _______________
______________ .
was reading the newspaper
was talking on her
mobile phone

9. Practice Ben ______________________ was eating while
eat / talk
Ben ______________________
the king __________________ .
was eating while
was talking

10. Practice I ________________________ _____________________ .
hurt myself / play basketball
I ________________________ _____________________ .
hurt myself when I was playing
basketball

11. Practice I ________________________ broke my leg when I was running
break my leg / run down the stairs
I ________________________
____________ .
broke my leg when I was running
down the stairs

12. Practice Miss Lee __________________ was reading while she
read / wait for the bus
Miss Lee __________________
_________________________ .
was reading while she
was waiting for the bus

13. The End