When and While in Past Forms - Study Paper

Explanation:

 When is used with the past simple tense to describe an action that happened at a
specific point in time.
o Example: I was playing soccer when it started to rain.
 While is used with the past continuous tense to describe actions that were
happening at the same time.
o Example: While I was playing soccer, it started to rain.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with "when" or "while"

Fill in the blanks with "when" or "while" to complete the sentences correctly.

1. I was watching TV ____________ my mom called me for dinner.

2. ____________ it was raining, we stayed inside.
3. She was reading a book ____________ I knocked on the door.
4. They were playing outside ____________ it started to snow.
5. ____________ we were eating, the phone rang.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. ________ I was doing my homework, the power went out.

o a) When
o b) While
2. He was listening to music ________ he walked to school.
o a) when
o b) while
3. ________ the teacher entered the room, the students were talking.
o a) When
o b) While
4. We were having a picnic ________ it started to rain.
o a) when
o b) while
5. ________ she was cooking, I set the table.
o a) When
o b) While
Exercise 3: Match the Sentences

Match the sentences in column A with the sentences in column B to create logical pairs.

Column A Column B
1. I was reading a book a. while they were sleeping.
2. They were playing games b. when the teacher arrived.
3. We were having dinner c. when he fell off his bike.
4. She was singing d. when you called.
5. He was running e. while I was doing homework.

Exercise 4: Complete the Sentences

Complete the sentences using the correct past simple or past continuous forms of the verbs
in parentheses, and "when" or "while."

1. I ________ (read) a book ________ you ________ (call) me.

2. ________ he ________ (walk) to school, it ________ (start) to rain.

3. They ________ (play) soccer ________ it ________ (begin) to snow.

4. We ________ (watch) a movie ________ the lights ________ (go) out.

5. She ________ (cook) dinner ________ we ________ (arrive).

Exercise 5: Write Sentences

Write 5 sentences using "when" and "while" with the past simple and past continuous
tenses.

1.

2.

3.

4.
5.