Usage of while: While he was playing, I sat beside him.

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

We know that “While he was playing, I sat beside him.” is correct.
What about: “While he was playing, I was sitting beside him.” ? Is this sentence 100% correct? If not, how do you express this is standard English?

2

Yes, your 2nd sentence is fine. In fact, it is the first sentence that is suspect-- I certainly wouldn’t call it correct. Use the progressive for both verbs if both actions are continuing for the same duration.

3

They’re both fine to me. Whether they did or didn’t have the same duration, they both make sense and are grammatical.

4

Thanks Mordant for clarification. I was very surprised by MM’s answer (regrading his comments on the first sentence), but I do respect him. Maybe, at the moment of giving my answer, he just overlooked the first one unintentionally. Thanks a lot to both you and Mister Micawber again!

5

No, I did not overlook it. I stand by my statement. Now, if it read like this-- While he was playing, I sat down beside him– then I would find it more acceptable, since it now clearly reflects an ‘instantaneous’ act.

6

Thanks to Mister Micawber again for his logic and clarification.

7

I think the addition of ‘down’ is a miniscule point and also found the first sentence acceptable.

8

Beeesneees, I agree with you completely. Because, in Betty S. Azar’s book I saw, While I was sleeping, the phone rang. And in explanation she wrote,
“A while-clause describes an activity that was in progress at the time another activity happened.” Basic English Grammar, Betty. S. Azar

However, as I am not a native, I have to listen to and respect all.

Thanks to you a lot.

9

That’s just what I said! Somebody ain’t listening to somebody.

10

I think some misunderstanding is going on here!

Mister Micawber wrote (in his first post) “I certainly wouldn’t call it correct.” Now I think he wanted to say, I certainly wouldn’t call it incorrect.
Sir! Is it okay? And it would mean that, you just added the ‘down’ later to mean its a better way to express it …right?

I respect and thank all!

11

Actually, I forgot I wrote that; what I remember is that I thought it was suspect. I thought ‘down’ improved it, but others don’t, so there we are. I’m moving on.