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Joanne77
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 4
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:13 am Post subject: the usage of "while" and "when" |
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Dear all,
I would like to know if the sentences below are correct.
While I was dialing his number, a boy quickly ran into the restaurant.
When I was dialing his number, a boy quicly ran into the restaurant.
Are both of them correct?
or what's their difference?
Thanks in advance. |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:45 am Post subject: |
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They mean the same thing. They are both correct. |
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myprofe

Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Madrid, Spain - Native Boston, USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:46 am Post subject: |
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Both when and while are the same in your example. They both refer to a period of time. _________________ I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes! |
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Joanne77
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 4
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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myprofe wrote: |
Both when and while are the same in your example. They both refer to a period of time. |
can I say
"While I was a child, I live in London" ?
Thanks a lot. |
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myprofe

Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Madrid, Spain - Native Boston, USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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Joanne77 wrote: |
can I say: "While I was a child, I live in London"? |
No, this would not be correct. I would say that it's because being a child is not an action. It's not something you did or were doing. After my class I will come back and give you more help on this. _________________ I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes! |
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myprofe

Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Madrid, Spain - Native Boston, USA
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 1:09 am Post subject: |
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It's explained very well here. _________________ I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes! |
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Joanne77
Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 4
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:08 am Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot.
I got it. |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654
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Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:25 am Post subject: |
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While (or Whilst) I was a child I lived in London, is OK. |
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