English 24
19th April 2003
A little bit of GRAMMAR

Hi Guys!!!! Happy Easter!!!
Lots of Easter bunnies
Gemma & Chiara!!!

Just in case you have too much fun over the Easter and bank holiday break, here's little bit of homework to keep you busy!
Last week we said as can be used as reason, "because", or time: two things happening together; two short actions happening at the same time; or when two changes happen over the same period of time.
But it can also mean one thing happening during another. Which is what we're going to focus on this week.
e.g. You can say that you did something as you were doing something else (= in the middle of doing something else).
When we use as in this way, both actions are usually quite short:
§ The woman fell as she stepped off the tram.
§ Joanne burnt her hand as she was taking the roast* out of the oven.
§ The burglar was caught as he was climbing out of the window.

You can also use just as:
Just as we arrived at the church, the heavens opened. (= it started to rain very heavily)
We left just as the film was getting interesting.

N.B. we only use as if two actions happen together!! Do not use as if one action follows another.
e.g. When I got home, I watched TV.

*roast usually refers to a joint of roasted meat.

Practice Exercise
In the following sentences one thing happens during another.
e.g. Joanne was taking the roast out of the oven. She burnt her hand.
Joanne burnt her hand as she was taking the roast out of the oven.

1. Liam was climbing up the tree. He slipped and fell.
2. Leo was riding his motorbike. A child ran out in front of him.
3. Paul was watching the TV. The lights went out.
4. I was having a shower. I slipped.
5. I was talking to my neighbour. The alarm went off.
6. I bumped into Frank. He was drinking in the bar.

Answers
1. Liam slipped and fell as he was climbing the tree.
2. A child ran out in front of Leo as he was riding his motorbike.
3. The lights went out as Paul was watching TV.
4. I slipped as I was having a shower.
5. The alarm went off as I was talking to my neighbour.
6. I bumped into Frank as he was drinking in the bar.