Simultaneous events To talk about actions or situations that take place at the same time, we can use as, when or while All three words can be used to introduce longer background actions that are/were going on when something else happens/happened The telephone rang when I was having a bath While they were watching TV, thieves broke into the house As I was reading the paper, I heard a loud noise As-clauses usually go at the beginning When and while-clauses can go at the beginning or end of sentences We usually use a continuous tense for the longer background action But note that as and while can also be used with simple tenses Simultaneous long actions To talk about longer actions that go on at the same time we use while Note that both continuous and simple tenses can be used with while While Susie cleaned the floor, Alice washed the clothes While Jane was reading, I was working in the garden As can be used with simple tenses to talk about two situations which change together As you get older you get wiser Simultaneous short actions To talk about two short actions that happen/happened at the same time, we use as or just as As I opened my eyes I saw a strange sight Stay on top of your writing! Download our grammar guide from www.englishgrammar.org to stay up-to-date Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)