phone rings when I am writing…

[Futawa]

(1). My phone rings when I am writing an essay.
(2). My phone is ringing when I write an essay.
(3). When my phone rings, I am writing an essay.
(4). When my phone is ringing, I write an essay.
(5). When my phone is ringing, I am writing an essay.
(6). When I am writing an essay, my phone is ringing.

Are those sentences correct? Would anyone give me an explanation? Thank you.

 

[Hermione Golightly]

Do you mean that every time you write / are writing an essay, your phone rings? Or something very like that. Most of your sentences are not correct, or your meaning is not clear.
The simple present is used for regular events.
'Every time I clean my windows, it rains.'
Please tell us in simple words what you want to say.

 

[Futawa]

Do you mean that every time you write / are writing an essay, your phone rings? Or something very like that. Most of your sentences are not correct, or your meaning is not clear.
The simple present is used for regular events.
'Every time I clean my windows, it rains.'
Please tell us in simple words what you want to say.

I want to express a fact.

I want to express two actions at the same time. I think number (1) is correct, right?

But I try to find another way to express my action, and that's why I make those sentences to see all the possibilities.

Most of your sentences are not correct, or your meaning is not clear.

Can you show me? And why is it not correct? Thank you.

 

[Florentia52]

Please answer the question Hermione asked you. Are you trying to say that every time you write an essay, the phone rings?

Or do you mean that at some time in the past, while you were writing an essay, the phone rang?

We cannot correct or rewrite entire sentence here, but if you will provide the context required by forum rules, we will try to help you decide which of your sentences is the most suitable for your situation.

 

[Futawa]

Or do you mean that at some time in the past, while you were writing an essay, the phone rang?

Yes, this is what I mean. It has happened once, not regularly.

First, I write an essay.
Second, my phone rings.
Third, I don't care about my phone. I still write.

Are all those sentences (1-6) that I have made not correct? Should I use the past tense? Or is it correct if I use the present tense to express a fact? Thank you.

 

[Florentia52]

If you are talking about an incident in the past, it is simplest to use the past tense.

It is possible to use the present tense when telling a story about the past, but you would need to establish the context for doing so.

 

[Futawa]

If you are talking about an incident in the past, it is simplest to use the past tense.

Thank you for your new information.

(1). My phone rang when I was writing an essay.
(2). My phone was ringing when I wrote an essay.
(3). When my phone rang, I was writing an essay.
(4). When my phone was ringing, I wrote an essay.
(5). When my phone was ringing, I was writing an essay.
(6). When I was writing an essay, my phone was ringing.

So, which sentence do I need to use? Thank you.

 

[Futawa]

It is possible to use the present tense when telling a story about the past, but you would need to establish the context for doing so.

Would you give me a little bit of an example? I'm not clear about it. Thank you.

 

[dojibear]

Yes, this is what I mean. It has happened once, not regularly.

First, I write an essay.
Second, my phone rings.
Third, I don't care about my phone. I still write.

(7). My phone rang while I was writing an essay.
(3). When my phone rang, I was writing an essay.

Usually "when" is about a short duration event, like a phone ringing.
Usually "while" is about a longer duration event, like writing an essay.

 

[Gang-Gang]

Hi Futawa,

Your first group of six sentences (post #1) all have slightly different meanings.

(1) is quite good English, and means that whenever you sit down to write an essay, your phone rings. (most annoying!)

(2) is awkwardly expressed, and is not good English.

(3) Is good English, but it means that whenever your phone rings, you happen to be in the process of writing an essay.

(4) is also awkwardly expressed, and is not good English. If, instead, it read, When my phone rings, I write an essay, the English would be perfect, but it would mean that you sit down and write an essay because your phone rang.

(5) is not good English.

(6) is likewise not good English.

I hope that this helps.

 

[Futawa]

Hi Futawa,

Your first group of six sentences (post #1) all have slightly different meanings.

(1) is quite good English, and means that whenever you sit down to write an essay, your phone rings. (most annoying!)

(2) is awkwardly expressed, and is not good English.

(3) Is good English, but it means that whenever your phone rings, you happen to be in the process of writing an essay.

(4) is also awkwardly expressed, and is not good English. If, instead, it read, When my phone rings, I write an essay, the English would be perfect, but it would mean that you sit down and write an essay because your phone rang.

(5) is not good English.

(6) is likewise not good English.

I hope that this helps.

Hi, thanks for your help.

(7). My phone rang while I was writing an essay.
(3). When my phone rang, I was writing an essay.

Usually "when" is about a short duration event, like a phone ringing.
Usually "while" is about a longer duration event, like writing an essay.

Thank you dojibear.