I was walking when I saw her

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Grammar notes

The Long Action and the Short Event

Use the past continuous for the longer background action. Use the past simple for the shorter event that interrupts it. When often introduces the shorter event.

  • Example: I was walking home when I saw her.
  • Example: We were eating when the lights went out.

Quick Rule

  • background action -> past continuous
  • short finished event with when -> past simple

One action was already moving, and the other stepped in.