The band played while I was leaving.

[sitifan]

1. The band played while I was leaving.
2. The band was playing while I was leaving.
Source: Ting-Chi Tang, English Question Box: An Introduction to Linguistic Analysis of English, p310.

According to the author, the above sentences are both correct.
Do native speakers agree with that?

 

[Skrej]

They're both grammatical, yes.

 

[SoothingDave]

The first slightly hints that the band was playing because you were leaving, while the second makes it seem coincidental.

The second is more natural.

 

[sitifan]

What's the difference in meaning between the sentences below?

3. The band played while I waited.
4. The band played while I was waiting.
5. The band was playing while I waited.
6. The band was playing while I was waiting.
Source: Ting-Chi Tang, English Question Box: An Introduction to Linguistic Analysis of English, p310.

 

[emsr2d2]

I find that the use of "while" makes the act of leaving sound longer than it is. I'd use "as".

The band was playing as I left.
The band was playing as I was leaving.