While/tense of verb

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While/tense of verb
Message de lehongkhanh posté le 18-01-2013 à 11:42:30 (S | E | F)
Hello,

Can you help me please !
What tense should be used for two verbs in a sentence with "While" ?
EX:
- While the parent were eating, their children were running around.
or
- While the parent were eating, their children ran around.

In French, can I write :
- Pendant que les parents mangeaient, leurs enfants couraient autour.
or
- Pendant que les parents mangeaient, leurs enfants ont couru autour.

Can you tell me about the two languages, please.
Thank you for your answers.

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Modifié par lucile83 le 18-01-2013 21:47

Réponse: While/tense of verb de brettdallen, postée le 18-01-2013 à 13:55:35 (S | E)
Hello,

"While" usually introduces a tense in "Be + -ing", whether it be present or past. The other clause can be in "Be +ing" or not (in the past).
As for your French translation, I'd say :
"..., les enfants couraient partout."
Hope this helps.

Réponse: While/tense of verb de gerondif, postée le 19-01-2013 à 11:38:29 (S | E)
Hello!
What tense should be used for two verbs in a sentence with "While" ?

I depends on what you want to say:
I finished my book while the children were playing. "finished" implies a completed action , while is usually followed by an idea of duration, so present perfect continuous.

You could of course say:

Yesterday at 3 p.m. ? er let me see.... Yes, I was watching TV while the children were playing in their room.

What else?

I can/will/should/may/might/would like to/ finish my homework while you work.

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