Unit 6 The Past Continuous as an alternative to the Simple
Past
1 The past continuous used with a point in time expresses an action which began before that time and probably continued after it.
Mike was having breakfast at eight. (It implies that he was in the middle of breakfast at eight, i.e. that he had started it before eight).
Compare: He had breakfast at eight would imply that he started it at eight.
2 If we replace the time expression with a verb in the simple past tense:
When I arrived Tom was talking on the phone we convey the idea that the action in the past continuous started before the action in the simple past and probably continued after it.
Compare this combination with a combination of two simple past tenses, which normally indicates successive actions:
When he saw me he put the receiver down.
3 The past continuous can be used as an alternative to the simple past to indicate a more casual, less deliberate action:
I was talking to Tom the other day.
The past continuous here gives the impression that the action was in no way unusual or remarkable. It also tends to remove responsibility from the subject. In the above example it is not clear who started the conversation, and it does not matter.
Compare the contrast with the simple past tense:
I talked to Tom, which indicates that I took the initiative.
Similarly:
From four to six Tom was washing the car. This would indicate that this was a casual, possibly routine action.
Compare with:
From four to six Tom washed the car. (implying a deliberate action by Tom)
Note that continuous tenses are used only for apparently continuous uninterrupted actions. If we divide the action up, or say how many times it happened, we must use the simple past:
I talked to Tom several times. Tom washed both cars.
4 Polite inquiries.This use is even more polite and tentative than the simple past:
I was wondering if you could give me a lift.
In questions about how a period was spent, the continuous often appears more polite than the simple past:
What were you doing before you came here? sounds more polite than
What did you do before you came here?
On the other hand, What were you doing in my room? could indicate a feeling that I think you had no right to be there, while What did you do in my room? could never give this impression.
5 With the verbs think, hope the past continuous suggests uncertainty:
I was thinking of having a party next week.
I was hoping you’d like to come out with me.
6 When we talk about two past actions or events that went on over the same period of time we can often use the past continuous for both:
Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up.
However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning:
Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived in London.
7 Note the following sentence patterns in which we find the Past Indefinite and the Past Continuous used in different combinations with each other:
1) A complex sentence with a clause of time introduced by the conjunction as. Within that pattern there may be three different kinds of time relations between the action of the subordinate clause and that of the principal clause.
a) The actions of the two clauses are fully simultaneous. In this case the Past Indefinite is commonly found in both clauses.
I watched him as he drank his tea.
Roy talked little as they drove home.
Occasionally the Past Continuous is found in the principal clause whereas the Past Indefinite is still used in the clause of time. It usually happens when the verb in the principal clause is terminative and the Past Indefinite would indicate a completed action.
As I poured her out a glass of sherry, she was saying: "I always imagined you were older."
b) The actions of the principal and the subordinate clauses are partially simultaneous. In this case the action of the subordinate clause serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is usually a shorter accomplished action. In this case we normally find the Past Continuous in the subordinate clause and the Past Indefinite in the principal clause.
As I was going inside, Mrs Drawbell intercepted me.
One evening, just as I was leaving the office, Martin rang me up.
c) The actions of the two clauses form a succession. In this case, naturally, only the Past Indefinite is found.
As the sun disappeared, a fresh breeze stirred the new curtains at the window.
As I turned back into the room a gust of wind crashed the door shut behind me.
2) A complex sentence with a clause of time introduced by the conjunction while. Here we find two different kinds of time relations between the actions of the two clauses.
a) The actions are fully simultaneous. In this case either the Past Continuous or the Past Indefinite is used in the subordinate clause and the Past Indefinite is normally found in the principal clause:
Martha said nothing but looked from one face to the other while they discussed plans.
She sat still as a statue while he was playing the sonata.
b) The actions are partially simultaneous. In this case the action of the subordinate clause serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is a shorter accomplished action.So the Past Indefinite is used in the principal clause while in the subordinate clause either the Past Indefinite or the Past Continuous is found.
While I was reading, I heard a splash from the bath, and I realized that Martin must be there.
While he stood there wondering what sort of pictures to hang on the walls he heard the telephone ring.
Practice
Ex. 32 Explain the use of the Past Continuous and the Past Indefinite in the following sentences which contain actions taking place at a given past moment:
1. We had some difficulty with Jerry, who was enjoying himself and did not want to come away. 2. He laughed and said how nice the country looked. Branches and little dark delicate twigs formed a fretwork of black lace against a cold, silvery sky. 3. It was getting dark now, and the general drove more slowly than ever. 4. I was driving along a country road when I spotted a telephone box. 5. I looked at my watch — it read five minutes to eleven. 6. I looked at my husband. He was reading a letter. 7. Philip made no haste to move from where he sat. 8. Lunch was over. Theo was smoking a cigarette. Barbara was sitting on the window seat with a book in her hands. 9. I rang the bell and the door was opened by a small man in overalls who was carrying a pot of white paint. 10. In the dim light it was difficult for the passengers to read the papers they carried. 11. I offered to call him up but they told me that the telephone didn't work. 12. I looked into my father's study. He was no longer working. 13. John, turning from the door, noticed that he was standing upon a letter which lay on the mat.
Ex. 33 Use the Past Continuous or the Past Indefinite in the following sentences:
1. I (to have) an uncomfortable feeling that he (to laugh) at me. 2. They (to move) into the shelter. The rain (to come) down swiftly. 3. The general (to wait) on the platform when I (to arrive) at Camberley. 4. She (to be) on her guard because he always (to tease) her. 5. I only (to want) to know if you (to come) on Saturday. 6. He (to see) to it that their publishing house (to become) a flourishing firm again. 7. He (to have) a bath when the sirens (to start). 8. He (to walk) in the frosty fields when he (not to work). 9. Jack (to look) at her trying to guess what (to come). 10. The road under the limes (to lead) straight to the village. 11. He (to find) that he (to speak) in a low voice. 12. He (to be) surprised to find how much her hands (to shake). 13. It (to be) suddenly clear to me that she (to act) a part and (to amuse) herself at our expense. 14. Mother said you (to join) the Bombardier Guards. 15. I (to know) that they (to go) out that night. 17. He (to have) interests elsewhere. He always (to ask) for special leave. 18. Then he (to notice) Jack. He (to stand) in front of the fire and (to talk) Italian to a man in glasses. 19. When I (to come) up to her she (to search) through a velvet bag which she always (to carry) for her spectacles which she always (to lose).
Ex. 34 Put in the correct form of the verb:
Rita: I hear the lights ... (go) out in your flats last night.
Emma: Yes, (I / watch) a documentary on TV when suddenly ... (we / lose) all the power. But ... (it / come) on again after about ten minutes.
Vicky: Rachel ... (come) down the stairs when the lights ... (go) out. She almost ... (fall) over.
Daniel: Matthew and I ... (play) table tennis at the time.
Andrew: ... (I / work) on the computer. ... (I / lose) a whole hour's work. But this morning ... (I/get) up early and ... (do) it again.
Ex. 35 Choose the proper tense form: the Past Indefinite or the Past Continuous:
1. While he rode/was riding in the forest he lost/was losing his way.
2. When I arrived/was arriving the party was in full swing. Paul danced/was dancing with Mary, and Pat and Peter drank/were drinking champagne.
3. When I finished/was finishing the ironing, I cooked/was cooking dinner.
4. How fast did they travel/were they travelling when their car had/was having a puncture.
5. A police car passed/was passing us on the motorway when we did/were doing 80 miles per hour.
6. I took/was taking a photograph of him while he ate/was eating an ice-cream.
7. I'm sorry I woke/was waking you. What were you dreaming/did you dream about?
8. What did you do/were you doing when I phoned/was phoning you last night? There was no reply.
9. Two burglars broke into the house while we watched/were watching television.
10. I found my lost key when I looked for/was looking for my passport.
11. I was having/had a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang.
12. When I woke up, it snowed/was snowing. I remembered that Sam was coming/came for lunch and got up quickly.
13. It was a fine day when we left/were leaving the house that day. A light snow fell/was falling and a light wind was blowing/blew from the south-west. We were pleased that it wasn't raining/didn't rain.
14. We were driving/drove down the hill when a strange object appeared/was appearing in the sky.
15. We looked/were looking at it attentively but nobody knew/was knowing what it was.
Ex. 36 Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past or the past continuous tense:
1 I lit the fire at 6.00 and it (burn) brightly when Tom came in at 7.00. 2 When I arrived the lecture had already started and the professor (write) on the overhead projector. 3 I (make) a cake when the light went out. I had to finish it in the dark. 4 I didn't want to meet Paul so when he entered the room I (leave). 5 Unfortunately when I arrived Ann just (leave), so we only had time for a few words. 6 He (watch) TV when the phone rang. Very unwillingly he (turn) down the sound and (go) to answer it. 7 He was very polite. Whenever his wife entered the room he (stand) up. 8 The admiral (play) bowls when he received news of the invasion. He (insist) on finishing the game. 9 My dog (walk) along quietly when Mr Pitt's Pekinese attacked him. 10 When I arrived she (have) lunch. She apologized for starting without me but said that she always (lunch) at 12.30. 11 He always (wear) a raincoat and (carry) an umbrella when he walked to the office. 12 What you (think) of his last book? - I (like) it very much. 13 I (share) a flat with him when we were students. He always (complain) about my untidiness. 14 He suddenly (realize) that he (travel) in the wrong direction. 15 He (play) the guitar outside her house when someone opened the window and (throw) out a bucket of water. 16 I just (open) the letter when the wind (blow) it out of my hand. 17 The burglar (open) the safe when he (hear) footsteps. He immediately (put) out his torch and (crawl) under the bed. 18 When I (look) for my passport I (find) this old photograph. 19 You looked very busy when I (see) you last night. What you (do)? 20 The boys (play) cards when they (hear) their father's step. They immediately (hide) the cards and (take) out their lesson books. 21 He (clean) his gun when it accidentally (go) off and (kill) him. 22 He (not allow) us to go out in the boat yesterday as a strong wind (blow). 23 As I (cross) the road I (step) on a banana skin and (fall) heavily. 24 I still (lie) on the road when I (see) a lorry approaching. 25 Luckily the driver (see) me and (stop) the lorry in time. 26 How you (damage) your car so badly? - I (run) into a lamp-post yesterday. - I suppose you (drive) too quickly or were not looking where you (go). 27 As he (get) into the bus it (start) suddenly and he (fall) backwards on to the road. 28 I (call) Paul at 7.00 but it wasn't necessary because he already (get) up. 29 When he (mend) the fuse he (get) a very bad shock. 30 When I (hear) his knock I (go) to the door and (open) it, but I (not recognize) him at first because I (not wear) my glasses. 31 When I came in they (sit) round the fire. Mr Pitt (do) a crossword puzzle, Mrs Pitt (knit), the others (read). Mrs Pitt (smile) at me and (say), 'Come and sit down.' 32 While the guests (dance) thieves (break) into the house and (steal) a lot of fur coats. 33 The next day, as they (know) that the police (look) for them, they (hide) the coats in a wood and (go) off in different directions. 34 She was very extravagant. She always (buy) herself new clothes. 35 Her mother often (tell) her that she (spend) too much money but she never (listen). 36 Whenever the drummer (begin) practising, the people in the next flat (bang) on the wall.
Ex. 37 Use the Past Indefinite or the Past Continuous in the following sentences containing as-clauses and while-clauses:
l. They (to talk) little as they (to drive) home. 2. As they (to drink) coffee, Ted (to say): "Now tell me about yourself." 3. She (to sing) softly as she (to beat) the eggs. 4. As the sun (to disappear), a fresh breeze (to stir) the curtains at the window. 5. His steps (to slow) down as he (to mount) the stairs. 6. He (to come) forward as we (to climb) out of the car and (to hold) his hand to my father. 7. Bernard (to call) up as I (to prepare) to leave the office. 8. He (to give) his father an anxious look as he (to enter). 9. She (to watch) him as he (to walk) to a chair across the room. 10. He (to look) up as Eric (to come) in. 11. Her husband (to stop) her just as she (to get) into the car. 12. While he (to stand) irresolute, the door (to open) and his brother (to come) out. 13. He (to listen) gravely while I (to complain) about my reading.
Ex. 38 Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past or past continuous tense:
1 Mr Smith never (wake) up in time in the mornings and always (get) into trouble for being late; so one day he (go) to town and (buy) an alarm clock. 2 To get home he (have to) go through a field where a bad-tempered bull usually (graze). 3 This bull normally (not chase) people unless something (make) him angry. Unfortunately, as Mr Smith (cross) the field, his alarm clock (go) off. 4 This (annoy) the bull, who immediately (begin) to chase Mr Smith. 5 Mr Smith (carry) an open umbrella as it (rain) slightly. He (throw) the umbrella to the ground and (run) away as fast as he could. 6 The bull (stop) and (begin) to attack the umbrella. While he (do) this Mr Smith escaped. 7 When he (awake) she (sit) by the window. She (look) at something in the street, but when he (call) her she (turn) and (smile) at him. 8 Why you (interrupt) me just now? I (have) a very interesting conversation with Mr Pitt. 9 The murderer (carry) the corpse down the stairs when he (hear) a knock on the door. 10 When I (look) through your books I (notice) that you have a copy of Murder in the Cathedral. 11 As they (walk) along the road they (hear) a car coming from behind them. Tom (turn) round and (hold) up his hand. The car (stop). 12 When I (arrive) at the station Mary (wait) for me. She (wear) a blue dress and (look) very pretty. As soon as she (see) me she (wave) and (shout) something, but I couldn't hear what she (say) because everybody (make) such a noise. 13 The prisoner (escape) by climbing the wall of the garden where he (work). He (wear) blue overalls and black shoes. 14 She said that the car (travel) at 40 k.p.h. when it (begin) to skid. 15 She said that she (not like) her present flat and (try) to find another. 16 While he (make) his speech the minister suddenly (feel) faint. But someone (bring) him a glass of water and after a few minutes he (be able) to continue. 17 When I (see) him he (paint) a portrait of his wife. - You (like) it? - He only just (start) when I (see) it, so I couldn't judge. 18 I (take) my friend to a murder trial the other day. - Who (be) tried?- A man called Bill Sykes. - Was he acquitted? - I don't know. They still (listen) to the evidence when we (leave). 19 I (be) sorry that I (have to) leave the party early, because I (enjoy) myself. 20 As we (come) here a policeman (stop) us. He (say) that he (look) for some stolen property and (ask) if he could search the car. 21 I (see) you yesterday from the bus. Why you (use) a stick? - I (use) a stick because I had hurt my leg that morning falling off a horse. - Whose horse you (ride)? 22 The floor was covered with balls of wool. Obviously Mrs Pitt (knit) something. 23 Ann said that she (be) on holiday. I (say) that I (hope) that she (enjoy) herself. 24 While he (water) the flowers it (begin) to rain. He (put) up his umbrella and (go) on watering. 25 I just (write) a cheque when I (remember) that I (have) nothing in the bank. 26 I (find) this ring as I (dig) in the garden. It looks very old. I wonder who it (belong) to? 27 When I last (see) her she (hurry) along the road to the station. I (ask) her where she (go) and she (say), 'London', but I don't think she (speak) the truth because there (not be) any train for London at that time. 28 The tailor said, 'Your suit will be ready on Monday.' But when I (call) on Monday he still (work) on it. 29 The teacher (come) into the classroom unusually early and one of the boys, who (smoke) a cigarette, (have) no time to put it out. So he (throw) it into the desk and (hope) for the best. 30 A little later the teacher (notice) that smoke (rise) from this desk. 'You (smoke) when I (come) in?' he (ask). 31 While I (swim) someone (steal) my clothes and I (have to) walk home in my swimsuit. 32 The men (say) that they (work) on the road outside my house and that they (want) some water to make tea. 33 He (say) that he (build) himself a house and that he (think) it would be ready in two years. 34 At 3 a.m. Mrs Pitt (wake) her husband and (say) that she (think) that someone (try) to get into the house. 35 Why you (lend) him that book? I still (read) it. - I'm sorry. I (not know) that you still (read) it. 36 I (come) in very late last night and unfortunately the dog (wake) up and (start) to bark. This (wake) my mother who (come) to the top of the stairs and (say), 'Who is there?' I (say). It is me,' but she (not hear) me because the dog (bark) so loudly, so she (go) back to her room and (telephone) the police.
Ex. 39 Open the brackets using the Past Indefinite, the Past Continuous or the Present Continuous:
New York. May 4. There (be) a bank robbery in the downtown financial district. Just before closing time a man (enter) the Wall Street branch of Chase Manhattan Bank. He (carry) a shotgun and (wear) a nylon stocking over his head. There (be) only a few customers in the bank at the time. He (make) them lie on the floor and (force) a teller to put money into a sack. As he (leave), a security guard (try) to ring the alarm. The robber (shoot) him and the guard is now in hospital. Surgeons (try) to save his life. Last night the police (arrest) a man on. The police (interrogate) the man who was arrested last night.
Ex. 40 Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past or past continuous:
1 I (walk) along Piccadilly when I (realize) that a man with a ginger beard, whom I had seen three times already that afternoon, (follow) me. 2 To make quite sure, I (walk) on quickly, (turn) right, then left and (stop) suddenly at a shop window. 3 In a few minutes the man with the beard (appear) and (stop) at another shop window. 4 I (go) on. 5 Whenever I (stop) he (stop), and whenever I (look) round he (be) still there. 6 He (look) a very respectable type and (wear) very conventional clothes and I (wonder) if he was a policeman or a private detective. 7 I (decide) to try and shake him off. 8 A 74 bus (stand) at the bus stop just beside me. 9 Then the conductor (come) downstairs and (ring) the bell; just as the bus (move) off, I (jump) on it. 10 The man with the beard (miss) the bus but (get) into another 74, which (follow) the first. II Both buses (crawl) very slowly along Knightsbridge. 12 Every time the buses (pull) up at a stop, the man (look) out anxiously to see if I (get) off. 13 Finally, at some traffic lights, he (change) buses and (get) into mine. 14 At Gloucester Road Underground, I (leave) the bus and (buy) a ticket at a ticket machine. 15 As I (stand) on the platform waiting for a Circle Line train, my pursuer (come) down the stairs. 16 He (carry) a newspaper and when we (get) into the same compartment, he (sit) in one corner reading it, and I (read) the advertisements. 17 He (look) over the top of the newspaper at every station to see if I (get) out. 18 I (become) rather tired of being shadowed like this, so finally I (go) and (sit) beside the man and (ask) him why he (follow) me. 19 At first he (say) he (not follow) me at all but when I (threaten) to knock him down, he (admit) that he was. 20 Then he (tell) me he (be) a writer of detective stories and (try) to see if it was difficult to follow someone unseen. 21 I (tell) him he hadn't been unseen because I had noticed him in Piccadilly and I (advise) him to shave off his ginger beard if he (not want) his victim to know he (be) followed.
Ex. 41 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense: simple past or past continuous:
1 He (sit) on the bank fishing when he (see) a man's hat floating down the river. It (seem) strangely familiar. 2 It (snow) heavily when he (wake) up. He (remember) that Jack (come) for lunch and (decide) to go down to the station to meet him in case he (lose) his way in the snowy lanes. 3 When I (reach) the street I (realize) that I (not know) the number of Tom's house. I (wonder) what to do about it when Tom himself (tap) me on the shoulder. 4 As the goalkeeper (run) forward to seize the ball a bottle (strike) him on the shoulder. 5 I (look) through the classroom window. A geometry lesson (go) on. The teacher (draw) diagrams on the blackboard. 6 Most of the boys (listen) to the teacher but a few (whisper) to each other, and Tom (read) a history book. Tom (hate) mathematics; he always (read) history during his mathematics lesson. 7 Everyone (read) quietly when suddenly the door (burst) open and a complete stranger (rush) in. 8 I (go) to Jack's house but (not find) him in. His mother (say) that she (not know) what he (do) but (think) he probably (play) football. 9 This used to be a station and all the London trains (stop) here. But two years ago they (close) the station and (give) us a bus service instead. 10 She (promise) not to report me to the police but ten minutes later I (see) her talking with a policeman and from the expression on his face I am sure she (tell) him all about it. 11 I (pick) up the receiver and (dial) a number. To my surprise I (find) myself listening to an extraordinary conversation. Two men (plan) to kidnap the Prime Minister. 12 I (meet) Paul at the university. We (be) both in the same year. He (study) law, but he (not be) very interested in it and (spend) most of his time practising the flute. 13 The train just (start) when the door (open) and two panting passengers (leap) in. 14 'What you (do) between 9.00 and 10.00 yesterday?' (say) the detective. I (clean) my house,' said Mrs Jones. I always clean my house on Saturday mornings.' 15 My neighbour (look) in last night and (say) that he (leave) the district and (go) to Yorkshire, to a new job. I (say) that I (be) very sorry that he (go), and (tell) him to write to me from Yorkshire and tell me how he (get) on. 16 They (build) that bridge when I (be) here last year. They haven't finished it yet. 17 The dentist's waiting room was full of people. Some (read) magazines, others just (turn) over the pages. A woman (knit); a child (play) with a toy car. Suddenly the door (open) and the nurse (say), 'Next, please.' 18 The house next to yours (be) full of policemen and police dogs yesterday. - What they (do)? - I (hear) that they (look) for drugs. - They (find) any? - Yes, I believe one of the dogs (discover) some cannabis. 19 Peter (tell) me yesterday that he (make) his own £5 notes. - Don't believe him. He just (pull) your leg. 20 A traffic warden just (stick) a parking ticket to my windscreen when I (come) back to the car. I (try) to persuade him to tear it up but he (refuse). 21 Ann works in the branch where the big robbery (take) place. - She actually (work) there at the time of the raid? 22 When Ann (say) that she (come) to see me the next day, I (wonder) what flowers she would bring. She always brings flowers. 23 While I (wonder) whether to buy the dress or not, someone else (come) and (buy) it. 24 He always (borrow) from me (he borrowed more often than was reasonable) but when I once (ask) him to lend me something, he (say) he (not have) got it before he even (know) what I (want) to borrow. 25 I (go) home on foot and all the time I (have) the impression that I (be) followed (passive). But though I (turn) round several times, I never (see) anybody. 26 I (bump) into Tom yesterday. I (ask) him to join us for lunch tomorrow but he (say) he (have) (had arranged to have) lunch with Ann. 27 My dog (attack) the postman as he (put) the letters into the letter box. The man (thrust) a large envelope into the dog's mouth and of course he (tear) it. Unfortunately the letter (contain) my diploma. I (patch) the diploma up with Sellotape but it still looks a bit odd. 28 How you (break) your leg? - I (fall) off a ladder when I (put) up curtains. The worst of it (be) that it (be) just before the holidays and I (go) away. (had planned to go away) - 29 So you (not go) away? - No, of course not. I (cancel) my bookings and (spend) the holiday hobbling about at home. 30 The curtain just (rise) when somebody at the back of the theatre (shout) 'Fire!' The audience (look) round nervously. 31 As it (rain) the children (play) in the sitting room. Tom was there too. He (try) to write a letter but he (not get on) very well because the children (keep) asking him questions. 32 What you (do) when the doorbell (ring)? - I (make) a cake. - And what you (do) when you (hear) the bell? - I (go) to answer it of course. But when I (open) the door there (be) nobody there. 33 A few minutes later the bell (ring) again and this time I (find) a man in a peaked cap who (say) he (make) a survey. 34 I (say), '(Be) it you who (ring) this bell a minute ago?' 'No,' he (answer), 'but when I (talk) to your neighbour I (see) a man standing at your door. I think he (go) round to the back of your house.' 35 We (not get) much sleep last night because the people next door (have) a noisy party. I (ring) up the landlord and (say) that his tenants (make) too much noise. He (point out) that it (be) Saturday and that people often (have) parties on Saturday nights. I (say) that the people in his house always (have) parties, (had too many parties) 36 What you (do) before you (get) this job? - I (work) for Brown and Company. - And how long you (stay) with them? - I (stay) for about six months. I (leave) because they always (go) on strike. It (become) quite monotonous.
Ex. 42 Translate the sentences using the Past Indefinite or the Past Continuous:
1. Когда я вошел в зал, студенты все еще обсуждали первый доклад. 2. Поезд приближался к станции. По перрону бежали дети с цветами. 3. Пассажиры так и не увидели Байкал. Когда поезд проезжал Байкал, была ночь. 4. Охотники замолчали. Красивый олень медленно приближался к ним. 5. Вдруг, когда уже не оставалось никакой надежды на спасение, люди на тонущем корабле увидели дым на горизонте. Какой-то пароход направлялся им на помощь. 6. Поезд набирал скорость, когда он вскочил в вагон. 7. Машинистка печатала доклад, когда в комнату вошла секретарь и положила на стол еще какие-то бумаги. 8. Иванов писал свою знаменитую картину двадцать лет. 9. Пока директор вел беседу с иностранными представителями, секретарь сортировала утреннюю почту. 10. В то время как он пробирался через толпу, он услышал, как кто-то его позвал.