Usage of while: While he was playing, I sat® beside him.

[Learner7]

We know that "While he was playing, I sat beside him." is correct.
What about: "While he was playing, I was sitting beside him." ? Is this sentence 100% correct? If not, how do you express this is standard English?

[Mister Micawber]

Yes, your 2nd sentence is fine. In fact, it is the first sentence that is suspect-- I certainly wouldn't call it correct. Use the progressive for both verbs if both actions are continuing for the same duration.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Mordant]

They're both fine to me. Whether they did or didn't have the same duration, they both make sense and are grammatical.

[Learner7]

Thanks Mordant for clarification. I was very surprised by MM's answer (regrading his comments on the first sentence), but I do respect him. Maybe, at the moment of giving my answer, he just overlooked the first one unintentionally. Thanks a lot to both you and Mister Micawber again!

[Mister Micawber]

No, I did not overlook it. I stand by my statement. Now, if it read like this-- While he was playing, I sat down beside him-- then I would find it more acceptable, since it now clearly reflects an 'instantaneous' act.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Learner7]

Thanks to Mister Micawber again for his logic and clarification.

[Beeesneees]

I think the addition of 'down' is a miniscule point and also found the first sentence acceptable.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Learner7]

Beeesneees, I agree with you completely. Because, in Betty S. Azar's book I saw, While I was sleeping, the phone rang. And in explanation she wrote,
"A while-clause describes an activity that was in progress at the time another activity happened." Basic English Grammar, Betty. S. Azar

However, as I am not a native, I have to listen to and respect all.

Thanks to you a lot.

[Mister Micawber]

That's just what I said! Somebody ain't listening to somebody.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Learner7]

I think some misunderstanding is going on here!

Mister Micawber wrote (in his first post) "I certainly wouldn't call it correct." Now I think he wanted to say, I certainly wouldn't call it incorrect.
Sir! Is it okay? And it would mean that, you just added the 'down' later to mean its a better way to express it ....right?

I respect and thank all!

[Mister Micawber]

Actually, I forgot I wrote that; what I remember is that I thought it was suspect. I thought 'down' improved it, but others don't, so there we are. I'm moving on.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's