AS // WHEN // WHILE - The Past

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AS, WHEN OR WHILE?

AS

To introduce two events happening at the same time

+ simple or continuous form of the verb

Continuous form: Emphasises an action that interrups or occurs during the progress of another action

As she walked to the door, she thanked them for a lovely dinner

As they were signing the contract, they noticed that a page was missing

WHEN

To introduce a single completed event that takes place in the middle of a longer activity or event

We usually use a continuous verb in the main clause to describe the background event

Depending on the context, "WHEN" can mean "After" or "At the same time"*

He was walking back to his flat when he heard an explosion

*When you open the file, check the second page vs I eat ice cream when I am an holiday.

We often use just with when or as to express things happening at exactly the same time

We phone always rings just when I'm closing he front door

She was a brillant gumnast, but she had a terrible accident in 1999 just as her career was taking off.

WHILE AND AS

While or ask to talk about two longer events or activitites happening at the same time

We can use either simple or continuous verb forms

We spent long evenings talking in my sitting room while he played the music ha had chosen and explained his ideas

We were lying on the beach sunbathing as they were playing volleyball

WHEN AND WHILE WITHOUT A SUBJECT

WHEN/WHILE without a verb, or without a subjet + Auxiliar verb BE

Go past the village signpost and you get a church. When there, take the next turning right.

He read his book while waiting for the bus

Never with AS