Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Right. The action of bathing is a long one and the phone ringing was the short action which happened during this time or at the end of this time.
2. Joe crossed the street when the dog was biting him.
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Wrong. In this sentence the longer action should be written as 'crossing the street'. The second action is the shorter one, so it should be 'when the dog bit him'.
3. She was reading a magazine while she was waiting for the bus.
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Right. These two actions both happened over a long time, and both happened at the same time, so you can use a continuous for both of them.
4. I called the doctor because she was looking very ill.
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Right. The person was looking very ill for a longer time than the shorter action of calling the doctor.
5. Petra was knowing what to do about that problem.
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Wrong. We do not often use the continuous with words of emotion or understanding like 'know', 'understand' or 'love' and hate'
6. While you were playing I was working hard.
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Right. These two actions both happened over a long time, and both happened at the same time, so you can use a continuous for both of them.
7. What was he doing when you arrived?
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Right. What he was doing was the longer action which was happening or finished when you arrived.
8. I was breaking my arm when I fell off my bicycle.
Q. Is this sentence right or wrong?
RightWrongAnalysis
Wrong. In this sentence both actions are short, so should be written with a simple past tense. 'I broke my arm when I fell off my bicycle'.
