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Two simultaneous actions in the past ...

   TWO SIMULTANEOUS ACTIONS IN THE PAST.

In lesson N° 105198  test, we had studied how to build and use the different preterites : the simple past  and the preterite in - ing. Do not hesitate to revise this lesson if necessary.

(The simple past is built with a regular verb + ed [or 2d column ] for irregular verbs and is used when a precise action happened in the past.)

(The preterite in - ing is built with was/were + verb + ing and used to express an action in progress at a given time of the past. The preterite in -ing doesn't admit short forms and 'was/were' are not stressed)

Now, we're going to progress, taking interest in particular moments when the 2 preterites  are used together or inter-act together : One of these very simple  moments, is the expression of two simultaneous actions of the past. (Two past actions happening at the same time.)

ex :  He was writing an essay when I arrived and I interrupted him in his work.

If we look at this sentence carefully, it is clear that the 3 verbs don't have the same values. In English, we have two simple pasts and one preterite in - ing. 

The two verbs in the simple pasts are describing short completed actions in the past. The preterite in -ing expresses a past and long action which was in progress at the very moment when the other two happened. This past action is like the setting, the background of the short ones. It is the important and 'interesting' action ! The preterite in -ing shows how much the speaker is interested in the action itself, not in its completion.

ex : The sun was shining when we went out. 

ex : When their father came back home, the kids were still doing their homework. 

                                      The short action (in the simple past) 'interrupts' the long action (in the preterite in - ing)

In the following exercise, we'll meet Patrick ! An incident happened to him and could jeopardize his day ... But he'll get help !

To understand his story, you must choose between the two different preterites, so that the text will finally make sense !   

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Young Patrick sat and slouchedwas sitting and slouchingwas sat and slouchedI don't know at a café, looking dejected, exhausted, and in a sweat, when I 's caughtwas catchingcaughtcatchedI don't know sight of him. The sun was shiningshunshoneshinedI don't know as I approachedwas approaching's approachingapproachtI don't know him. He was scarlet, out of breath, and I could swear I could see tears in his eyes ... His trousers were torn and his knee bledhas bledwas bleedingI don't know. He said : 'I felt downfell downfalled downI don't know while I was runningranrunI don't know not to be late for my first day at work ... I 's callingwas callingcalledI don't know my mother for help, to warn her and ask her to come and drive me there, but she hadwas havinghad hadI don't know an important meeting and couldn't take my call !' He simply wouldn't keep quiet for a minute ...
He told me : ' A week ago I was havinghad've hadI don't know a relaxing bath, I was so tense because of the long-expected answer about this job, when suddenly the phone was ringingrungrangI don't know at last ! A good thing I had the cordless phone near me ! Finally, I got the job ! And look at me, now, I'll be late for my first day of work ! '
While he was whining and complainingwhined and was complainingwhined and complainedI don't know, I was cleantwas cleaningcleanedI don't know his wound and put a neat elastic bandage on it. He would be OK !
Then, I drivendrovewas drivingI don't know him to his future office while he was babblinghe's babblinghe babbledI don't know anxiously. I dropped him at his office just in time ... He rushed without a 'thank you' ! The poor boy was so nervous ! ;0)