定義 / 解説
Past Continuous は背景となる進行中行為、 Past Simple は完了した出来事（特に割り込み）を表します。物語ではこの 2 つを組み合わせることが多いです。I was walking when it started to rain が典型です。
主要ルール
- 長い背景行為に Past Continuous 。
- 短い完了出来事に Past Simple 。
- 典型: was ...ing when + past simple。
- when は短い出来事、while は長い背景と相性がよい。
- すべての文で両方必要なわけではない。
例文
- I was walking when it started to rain. - 私が歩いていたとき、雨が降り始めました。
- She called while I was sleeping. - 私が寝ている間に彼女は電話しました。
- We were having dinner when the lights went out. - 私たちが夕食中に明かりが消えました。
- He fell while he was running. - 彼は走っているときに転びました。
- They were driving home when they saw the accident. - 彼らは帰宅中に事故を見ました。
よくある間違い
- ❌ I walked when it was starting to rain. -> ✅ I was walking when it started to rain.
- ❌ She was calling while I slept. -> ✅ She called while I was sleeping.
- ❌ We had dinner when the lights were going out. -> ✅ We were having dinner when the lights went out.