English grammar
Past continuous + while
Describe two things happening at the same time in the past.
From the scene While we were having dinner
In short
Use while + was / were + -ing for the background, and the past simple for what happened at the same time.
Your turn
Which one goes with what happened: past simple?
Options: the guitarist played nonstop · while we were having dinner · while you two were watching
Show answer
what happened: past simple → the guitarist played nonstop
How it works
Use while + past continuous (was/were + -ing) for the background action, and the simple past for what happened at the same time.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Well, while we (blank) talking, the salmorejo got warm.
Options: were · was · are
Show answer
Well, while we were talking, the salmorejo got warm.
Bueno, mientras hablábamos, se calentó el salmorejo.
Good to know
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played. Was/were + -ing shows the background was still going on at the time.
Good to know
Two things in progress together can both take it: while I was clapping, I was also eating.
the background while we were having dinner
Nuria
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), the guitarist played nonstop.
Options: While I was clapping · While we were having dinner · While you two were watching
Show answer
Nuria
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
what happened: past simple the guitarist played nonstop
Nuria
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
While we were having dinner, (blank).
Options: while I was clapping · the guitarist played nonstop · while you two were watching
Show answer
Nuria
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
you two: were while you two were watching
Elena
While you two were watching the stage, I was watching my plate.
Mientras vosotros mirabais el escenario, yo miraba mi plato.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) the stage, I was watching my plate.
Options: The guitarist played nonstop · While you two were watching · While we were having dinner
Show answer
Elena
While you two were watching the stage, I was watching my plate.
Mientras vosotros mirabais el escenario, yo miraba mi plato.
I: was while I was clapping
Your turn
What goes with while I was clapping?
Options: what happened: past simple · I: was · the background
Show answer
while I was clapping → I: was
Common mistake
Not During or Meanwhile here. A conjunction + past continuous for the background (not a preposition).
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the background | while we were having dinner |
|---|---|
| what happened: past simple | the guitarist played nonstop |
| you two: were | while you two were watching |
| I: was | while I was clapping |
More lines from the story
- NuriaWell, while we were talking, the salmorejo got warm.Bueno, mientras hablábamos, se calentó el salmorejo.
- ElenaOf course. While you were watching the dancers, I ordered more bread.Normal. Mientras mirabais a los bailaores, yo pedí más pan.
- JaviLucky you! I didn't eat a thing.¡Qué envidia! Yo no comí nada.
- JaviDoña Elena, you're the only one who really had dinner last night.Doña Elena, usted es la única que cenó de verdad anoche.