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Same-time action: with doing? It sounds pretty basic but I wonder what is the most common expression to describe same-time action? I was reading a book (main clause) I had some coffee (subordinate clause) I was reading a book with having some coffee. (maybe it's the best?) I was reading a book (,) having some coffee. (I've generally used this) I was reading a book and had some coffee. (for me sounds a little bit weird to contain two different time tense in one sentence) I had some coffee while reading a book. (sounds perfect, but the main and subordinate are replaced with each other)

Answers · 2

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I was reading a book, while drinking (having) some coffee, would be the best way to say it. Switching the clauses also works, and sounds quite natural. The first sentence, "I was reading a book with having some coffee," is not right because you wouldn't say "with having." You could say "...a book, with coffee," but it wouldn't be quite right. "I was reading a book, having coffee," is just fine, but it sounds a little incomplete, like the sentence would go on after that (e.g. I was reading a book, having some coffee, when a raccoon ran in the door wearing a top hat.) "I was reading a book and had some coffee," sounds alright, but it sort of implies that you had the coffee later, or that you had it with you but weren't drinking it.
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The most natural would be: - I was reading a book while/whilst having some coffee (or "While I was having some having coffee, I was reading a book"). -I was reading a book as I was having some coffee (or "As I was having some coffee, I was reading a book"). I was reading a book with having some coffee. - Incorrect I was reading a book, having some coffee. -Extremely awkward. You would never hear this except in poetry. I was reading a book and had some coffee - Incorrect, because the tenses don't match I was reading a book and having some coffee - Correct I read a book and had some coffee -Correct

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