Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

TENSE CHOICE IN COMPLEX SENTENCES

359

Temporal subordinators (e.g. when) and the past simple 

359a

Temporal subordinators such as after, as soon as, before, once, until, when and

while

can refer to definite points and periods of time in the past separated from

the moment of speaking. In such cases, the subordinators are used with the past

simple:

As soon as

I 

got home, I phoned my sister.

Once

the initial shock 

was over, Mr Coldman had to settle into his new role.

622 | Past time

Cambridge Grammar of English

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[speaker is recounting a fainting attack]

When

I 

woke up, I didn’t know where I was.

Temporal subordinators and the past progressive

359b

The temporal subordinators as, when and while (or less frequently whilst) are

often used with the past progressive to indicate background events:

I read the letter on the Underground 

as

I 

was coming into town.

He mentioned it to Janet 

when

he 

was making a cup of tea.

My friend Rachel came round 

while

I 

was sorting things out.

While/whilst

may connect two clauses in the past progressive, to indicate

simultaneous or parallel events:

They 

were messing around most of the time enjoying themselves 

while

I 

was

looking after the children.