When/while I was writing

[ademoglu]

Hi,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv257.shtml

while not when: We often prefer while to when to describe the longer action of two events or to talk about two longer actions that go on simultaneously:

''While I was writing my Christmas cards, the children were decorating the tree.''

I know it says 'we often prefer while', I'd still like to ask if it is impossible to use when in the above sentence.

''When I was writing my Christmas cards, the children were decorating the tree.''

Thanks.

 

[teechar]

No, it's not impossible at all!

 

[Rover_KE]

... but it's better to follow the advice given in the link.

 

[Tdol]

A preference is not a rule.