Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use Past Continuous for a long activity and Past Simple for the sudden event that interrupts it.
- Use 'was/were + -ing' for the long background action (e.g., I was sleeping).
- Use 'when + Past Simple' for the short interrupting event (e.g., when the alarm rang).
- The interruption can be literal or just a specific moment in time.
Overview
when という接続詞でつなぐ形を使います。この表現をマスターすると、単なる事実の羅列ではなく、より生き生きとした物語を語ることができるようになります。この文法は、英語で状況をより豊かに、そして正確に伝えるための重要なツールです。when は、この二つの出来事の時間を結びつける役割を果たします。I was reading a book when the power went out. となります。ここで was reading（Past Continuous）が「背景となる、続いていた行動」を、went out（Past Simple）が「それを中断した、あるいはその最中に起きた出来事」を表しています。when を使って、その最中に起きた短い出来事を Past Simple で続けます。[主語] + was/were + 動詞の-ing形 (Past Continuous) + when + [主語] + 動詞の過去形 (Past Simple)- 例：
I was studying for my exam when my roommate started singing karaoke.
was studying（過去進行形）が「背景となる、続いていた行動」、started（過去形）が「それを中断した（あるいはその最中に始まった）出来事」です。*- 例：
She was cooking dinner when her phone rang with a job offer.
was cooking（過去進行形）が「背景となる行動」、rang（過去形）が「その最中に起きた出来事」です。*- 例：
They were playing soccer in the park when it suddenly began to rain.
were playing（過去進行形）が「背景となる行動」、began（過去形）が「その最中に起きた出来事」です。*when 節を文頭に置くことも可能です。この場合、when 節（Past Simple）の後にコンマ（,）を置き、主節（Past Continuous）を続けます。この形は、中断した出来事がいつ起きたのかを強調したい場合に有効です。When + [主語] + 動詞の過去形 (Past Simple), [主語] + was/were + 動詞の-ing形 (Past Continuous)- 例：
When the doorbell rang, I was cooking dinner.
rang（過去形）が「中断した出来事」、was cooking（過去進行形）が「その最中に続いていた背景の行動」です。*- 例：
When the power went out, we were watching a film.
went out（過去形）が「中断した出来事」、were watching（過去進行形）が「その最中に続いていた背景の行動」です。*- 例：
When the professor entered the room, the students were discussing the assignment.
entered（過去形）が「中断した出来事」、were discussing（過去進行形）が「その最中に続いていた背景の行動」です。*when は、これら二つの出来事の時間を結びつける、まさに「〜した時」という接続詞として機能します。- 中断された行動を描写する時：これがこの文法構造の最も基本的な使い方です。ある行動が進行中であったところに、別の出来事が突然割り込んできた状況を表します。
I was taking a shower when the fire alarm went off.
He was driving to work when he saw an accident.
- 状況設定や背景説明をする時：Past Continuous が、ある出来事が起きた時点での「状況」や「背景」を作り出します。何が起こっていたのかをリスナーに想像させるのに役立ちます。
The children were sleeping peacefully when a loud clap of thunder woke them.
We were discussing the project details when the manager suddenly announced a new deadline.
- 理由や状況を説明する時：ある行動ができなかった理由や、ある結果になった経緯を説明する際に、この形が使われることがあります。
I couldn't answer your call because I was teaching a class when you phoned me.
She was jogging in the park when she twisted her ankle.
- 物語やエピソードを語る時：この文法構造は、物語をより豊かに、そしてドラマチックにします。出来事がどのように展開し、予期せぬことがどのように起こったのかを効果的に伝えることができます。
We were exploring the ancient ruins when we discovered a hidden chamber.
He was walking his dog early this morning when he found a lost wallet.
- 出来事が厳密に順番通りに起こり、重なりがない場合：最初の行動が完全に終わってから次の行動が始まった場合、中断された進行中の行動はありません。この場合は、両方の行動を Past Simple で表します。
不正確:I was eating breakfast when I left for work.
正確:I ate breakfast, then I left for work.
- 単発で完了した行動を表す場合：ある行動が、時間的な幅を持った「進行中の状態」ではなく、単に「完了した一つの出来事」として捉えられる場合は、Past Simple を単独で使うのが適切です。
不正確:Yesterday, I was buying a new car.
正確:Yesterday, I bought a new car.
- 状態動詞（非進行形動詞）と一緒に使う場合：状態動詞は、状態、感覚、感情、所有、思考などを表し、進行形ではほとんど使われません。これらは、時間的な幅を持った「行動」ではなく、安定した「状態」を表すからです。よく使われる状態動詞には、
know（知っている）、believe（信じている）、understand（理解している）、love（愛している）、hate（嫌っている）、want（欲しい）、need（必要とする）、have（所有している）、seem（〜のように見える）、appear（〜のように見える）、belong（属する）、contain（含む）、cost（〜の費用がかかる）などがあります。 不正確:I was knowing him well when he moved to another city.
know は状態動詞なので、was knowing という進行形にはなりません。*正確:I knew him well when he moved to another city.
不正確:She was having a headache when the phone rang.
正確:She had a headache when the phone rang.
- 時制の役割を混同する（入れ替え使用）：最もよくある間違いは、進行中の行動と中断した行動の時制を入れ替えてしまうことです。常に、Past Continuous は「背景となる、時間的な幅を持った行動」を、Past Simple は「単発で、それを中断した、またはその最中に起きた出来事」を表すことを覚えておいてください。
不正確:I called my friend when she was watching TV.
正確:I was watching TV when my friend called me.
不正確:He was falling asleep when the book read him.
正確:He was reading a book when he fell asleep.
- 助動詞
wasまたはwereを省略する：Past Continuous を作るためには、助動詞wasまたはwereが不可欠です。これを省略すると、文法的に誤りとなります。この間違いは、Past Simple の形に引きずられてしまうことから起こることが多いようです。 不正確:We walking in the park when it started raining.
walking の前に were が必要です。*正確:We were walking in the park when it started raining.
不正確:She sleeping when I arrived home.
sleeping の前に was が必要です。*正確:She was sleeping when I arrived home.
whenを使って進行中の行動を導入してしまう（間違いやすいパターン）：whenは通常、Past Simple で表される「中断した、またはその最中に起きた出来事」を導きます。二つの節の間にwhenが来る場合、そのwhenの後に続く節は Past Simple になるのが一般的です。when節が文頭に来て主節が続く場合 (When the phone rang, I was cooking.) は問題ありませんが、二つの節の間にwhenが来る場合に、そのwhenの後に Past Continuous を使ってしまうのは間違いです。不正確:I was cooking dinner when my phone was ringing.
正確:I was cooking dinner when my phone rang.
I was reading a book when the phone rang. （電話が鳴った時、私は本を読んでいた。） |I read a book, and then the phone rang. （本を読み、そして電話が鳴った。） |I was reading a book while my sister was watching TV. （私が本を読んでいた間、私の姉はテレビを見ていた。） |all day, etc.) | ある期間、継続して行われた行動を表す場合もあるが、通常は完了した単一の出来事を表す。when は単に「〜した時」という時点を示す。 | I finished my homework when my friend arrived. （友達が着いた時、私は宿題を終えた。）*ここでは、宿題を終えたという完了した行動と、友達が着いたという完了した行動が、それぞれ別の時点で行われたことを示唆する。* |when や while などの接続詞が必要です。 | *Incorrect:* I was reading a book the phone rang. |while と when の使い分けwhileは、二つの行動が同時に、かつある程度の時間続いていたことを強調します。両方の行動が進行中であることを示したい場合に便利です。While I was studying English, my brother was playing video games.（私が英語を勉強している間、弟はテレビゲームをしていた。）
whenは、より短い時間の出来事や、ある一点で起きた出来事を表すのに使われることが多いです。特に、進行中の行動を中断した、あるいはその最中に起きた単発の出来事を指す場合に、Past Simple と組み合わせて使われます。I was studying English when my father came home.（父が家に帰ってきた時、私は英語を勉強していた。）
when か while か）を使い、どの時制（Past Continuous か Past Simple か）を選ぶかによって、過去の出来事の時間の関係性が大きく変わってきます。文脈に合わせて適切な表現を選ぶことが重要です。when があると、必ず Past Continuous と Past Simple を使うのですか？when は、二つの過去の出来事を結びつける接続詞で、文脈によって様々な時制と組み合わせて使われます。例えば、二つの出来事が順番に起こった場合は、両方とも Past Simple になります (When he arrived, I left.)。しかし、「進行中の行動が中断された」という特定の状況を表したい場合に、この Past Continuous + when + Past Simple の形が使われるのです。when の付かない方の節（主節）がメインの出来事を表すことが多いですが、when 節を文頭に置いた場合は、そちらが文脈によっては強調されることもあります。しかし、この文法構造のポイントは、二つの時制が協力して「進行中の行動」と「それを中断した出来事」という時間的関係を明確にすることにあります。どちらか一方だけが重要なのではなく、両者の組み合わせで意味が完成します。know, want）は、このパターンで Past Continuous にできますか？know, want, believe などの状態動詞は、通常、進行形では使われません。これらの動詞は「状態」を表すため、I was knowing him のような表現は不自然です。もし、状態動詞が使われる過去の状況を説明したい場合は、Past Simple を使います (I knew him when he lived here.)。ただし、「〜を経験する」という意味で have が使われる場合など、例外的に進行形が使われることもありますが、それは特殊なケースです。while を使った Past Continuous + while + Past Continuous の形がより適切になります。2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
Common in speech/informal writing
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
Common in speech/informal writing
|
Past Continuous Formation
| Subject | Auxiliary (to be) | Main Verb (-ing) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was
|
working
|
I was working...
|
|
You
|
were
|
working
|
You were working...
|
|
He/She/It
|
was
|
working
|
She was working...
|
|
We
|
were
|
working
|
We were working...
|
|
They
|
were
|
working
|
They were working...
|
Meanings
This structure describes an ongoing action in the past that was interrupted by a shorter, sudden event.
Literal Interruption
The second action physically stops the first action from continuing.
“He was running when he tripped and fell.”
“They were talking when the teacher entered the room.”
Temporal Interruption
The second action happens during the first, but the first action might continue afterward.
“It was raining when we arrived at the hotel.”
“She was wearing a red dress when I saw her.”
Atmospheric Background
Using the continuous form to set the scene for a story's main event.
“The wind was blowing when the ghost appeared.”
“Everyone was dancing when the music suddenly stopped.”
Reference Table
| 主語 (Subject) | 進行中の行動 (背景) | 接続詞 (Connector) | 割り込みの行動 (Interruption) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I / He / She / It
|
was watching Netflix
|
when
|
the WiFi died.
|
|
You / We / They
|
were playing games
|
when
|
the power cut out.
|
|
I
|
was texting my friend
|
when
|
I dropped my phone.
|
|
They
|
were walking to class
|
when
|
it started to rain.
|
|
She
|
was recording a video
|
when
|
her cat jumped on her.
|
|
We
|
were eating dinner
|
when
|
the doorbell rang.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
I was in the process of finalizing the report when the system encountered an error. (Work/Office)
I was finishing the report when the computer crashed. (Work/Office)
I was doing the report when my PC died. (Work/Office)
I was crushing that report when the laptop just went poof. (Work/Office)
割り込み行為の構成要素
長い行動
- 背景 Past Continuous
- 進行中 Was/Were + -ing
短い行動
- 割り込み Past Simple
- 突然の出来事 Verb-ed
過去進行形 vs. 過去形
時制の選び方
その行動は長く、背景となるものですか？
それは突然の割り込みですか？
このルールで使う動詞の種類
動作動詞 (-ing を使う)
- • running
- • talking
- • watching
- • cooking
状態動詞 (-ing を使わない)
- • know
- • want
- • like
- • believe
レベル別の例文
I was sleeping when the phone rang.
I was sleeping when the phone rang.
She was eating when I arrived.
She was eating when I arrived.
They were walking when it rained.
They were walking when it rained.
He was reading when the light went out.
He was reading when the light went out.
We were watching TV when the doorbell rang.
We were watching TV when the doorbell rang.
I was driving to work when I saw the accident.
I was driving to work when I saw the accident.
What were you doing when the fire started?
What were you doing when the fire started?
She wasn't listening when the teacher gave the homework.
She wasn't listening when the teacher gave the homework.
I was just thinking about you when you called!
I was just thinking about you when you called!
The sun was shining when we stepped out of the museum.
The sun was shining when we stepped out of the museum.
He was working in London when he met his wife.
He was working in London when he met his wife.
Were they living in Paris when the war began?
Were they living in Paris when the war began?
I was originally going to stay home when Sarah convinced me to go out.
I was originally going to stay home when Sarah convinced me to go out.
The company was expanding rapidly when the market crashed.
The company was expanding rapidly when the market crashed.
I was just about to pay when I realized I'd left my wallet at home.
I was just about to pay when I realized I'd left my wallet at home.
The suspect was attempting to flee when the police apprehended him.
The suspect was attempting to flee when the police apprehended him.
The orchestra was tuning their instruments when the conductor finally appeared.
The orchestra was tuning their instruments when the conductor finally appeared.
I was merely browsing the archives when I stumbled upon the lost manuscript.
I was merely browsing the archives when I stumbled upon the lost manuscript.
Tensions were simmering when the prime minister made his controversial announcement.
Tensions were simmering when the prime minister made his controversial announcement.
She was constantly checking her watch when the train finally pulled into the station.
She was constantly checking her watch when the train finally pulled into the station.
The civilization was already undergoing a period of decadence when the external shocks arrived.
The civilization was already undergoing a period of decadence when the external shocks arrived.
I was wrestling with the ethical implications of the study when the results were leaked.
I was wrestling with the ethical implications of the study when the results were leaked.
The protagonist was painstakingly rebuilding his life when fate dealt him another blow.
The protagonist was painstakingly rebuilding his life when fate dealt him another blow.
The market was showing signs of volatility when the central bank intervened.
The market was showing signs of volatility when the central bank intervened.
間違えやすい
Learners use Past Simple for both actions, losing the 'ongoing' sense.
Learners use 'while' before the short action.
Trying to use verbs like 'want' or 'know' in the continuous form.
よくある間違い
I was eat when he came.
I was eating when he came.
I eating when he came.
I was eating when he came.
I was eating when he was coming.
I was eating when he came.
They was playing when it rained.
They were playing when it rained.
When I was seeing him, he was running.
When I saw him, he was running.
I was working when the phone was ringing.
I was working when the phone rang.
I was knowing the answer when she asked.
I knew the answer when she asked.
I was having a car when I lived in London.
I had a car when I lived in London.
I was finishing my work when he arrived.
I had finished my work when he arrived.
The sun was setting when we were reaching the summit.
The sun was setting when we reached the summit.
文型パターン
I was ___ when ___.
When ___, they were ___.
___ wasn't ___ when ___.
Were you ___ when ___?
Real World Usage
I was just thinking about you when you texted!
I was working as a manager when I decided to get my MBA.
I was crossing the street when the car hit the cyclist.
We were hiking in the Alps when we got lost.
I was using the app when it suddenly closed.
Was having the best time when this happened! 😂
I was lifting a heavy box when I felt a sharp pain.
The country was struggling when the new leader took power.
コンマのルール
When や While で文を始める時は、コンマを入れます。「While I was eating, the phone rang.」でも、
when や while が真ん中にある時はコンマは不要です！二重にしない
-ing を使うのは避けましょう。二つの行動が同時に起こっていて、お互いを中断していない場合にだけ使えます。「I was reading while she was listening.」
場面設定に使う
I was walking down the street when I saw something strange.」
Smart Tips
Combine two sentences using 'when' to create a background and an action.
Ask yourself: 'Can I do this for 10 minutes?' If yes (like sleeping), use -ing. If no (like tripping), use Past Simple.
Always put a comma after the first clause to help the reader breathe.
Add the word 'just' before the -ing verb to emphasize the timing.
発音
Weak form of 'was/were'
In natural speech, 'was' is often reduced to /wəz/ and 'were' to /wə/.
Linking 'when'
The 'n' in 'when' often links to the following vowel.
Rising-Falling
I was ↗working when the phone ↘rang.
The first part builds interest; the second part provides the resolution.
暗記しよう
記憶術
The 'ING' is the THING that was HAPPENING; the 'ED' is the HEAD that popped in.
視覚的連想
Imagine a long, blue river (the Past Continuous). Suddenly, a red lightning bolt (the Past Simple) hits the water. The river was flowing when the lightning struck.
Rhyme
I was walking down the street, when a friend I chanced to meet.
Story
I was dreaming about a giant pizza. I was just about to take a bite when my alarm clock screamed at me. I was sleeping, the clock rang, and the dream ended.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around the room. Imagine you were doing something 5 minutes ago and someone walked in. Say the sentence out loud: 'I was [action] when [person] [action].'
文化メモ
Often uses 'just' to emphasize the timing: 'I was just about to go when...'
Frequently uses this structure in police procedurals and news reporting for dramatic effect.
This is a universal way to tell 'small talk' stories about your day.
The continuous aspect in English developed from an Old English construction using 'be' and a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'he was on hunting').
会話のきっかけ
What were you doing when you heard the news today?
Were you sleeping when the sun came up this morning?
Tell me about a time you were doing something when something funny happened.
What was the weather like when you left your house?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
I ___ (watch) TV when the power went out.
Choose the grammatically correct interruption:
Find and fix the mistake:
They was playing football when it started to rain.
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesI ___ (walk) to the park when I ___ (see) my old teacher.
Select the best option:
Find and fix the mistake:
She was cook dinner when the phone rang.
You were sleeping when I called.
Match the following:
A: Why didn't you answer my text? B: Sorry! I ___ (have) a shower when you ___ (text).
Verbs: sleeping, arrived, watching, tripped, raining, saw.
when / was / the / I / reading / light / went / out
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWhile we ___ (wait) for the bus, we saw an old friend.
I was walking when I was seeing the accident.
when / she / was / reading / her / phone / rang
Estábamos cenando cuando alguien llamó a la puerta.
Which one describes an interrupted action?
The students ___ (chat) when the teacher entered the room.
1. I was sleeping... | 2. He was running... | 3. We were dancing...
What you were doing when the earthquake started?
the / when / cat / I / jump / was / coding
Yo estaba lavando los platos cuando se rompió un vaso.
Score: /10
よくある質問 (8)
Yes, but the structure changes. Use `while` before the long action: 'While I was eating, the phone rang.' Use `when` before the short action: 'I was eating when the phone rang.'
Then you just use the Past Simple for both: 'When the phone rang, I answered it.' This shows a sequence, not an interruption.
It's better to say 'I was walking while it was raining' if both are long actions. Using `when` usually implies a sudden start or a specific moment.
No, this is specifically for the past. For the future, we use the Present Continuous or Future Continuous: 'I will be working when you arrive.'
This is just the standard conjugation of the verb 'to be' in the past. `I/He/She/It` = was. `You/We/They` = were.
Not always! If you say 'It was raining when I arrived,' the rain didn't stop just because you arrived. It just happened at that time.
It's rare. Usually, we use `while` for two continuous actions: 'I was cooking while he was cleaning.'
In speaking and informal writing, `wasn't` is much more natural. In very formal essays, use `was not`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estaba comiendo cuando...
Spanish can also just use the Imperfecto (comía) without the progressive form.
Je mangeais quand...
French uses one verb form (Imparfait) where English uses two (was + -ing).
Ich aß gerade, als...
German has no '-ing' equivalent for this structure.
Tabete ita tokini...
Japanese doesn't distinguish between 'when' and 'while' as strictly as English.
Kuntu akulu 'indama...
The structure is very similar to English 'was + verb'.
Wǒ zài chīfàn de shíhòu...
Chinese verbs don't change for the past tense; the context or time words provide the tense.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
関連動画
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