Question

They were going home ( when it was starting to rain.) a. When it started to rain b. When it was raining c. When it is starting to rain d. No change

Answer 1

They were going home when it started to rain.

This is the answer.

Answer 2

Option b. When it was raining. -This is the answer.

About usage of 'when':

• 'When' can be used as a conjunction to join two clauses.
• When we use 'when' the tense must be the same in both the clauses -main and subordinate clause.
• In the sentence given, we have the main clause 'they were going home'. It is in past continuous form. It must be joined using 'when' and past continuous tense must be used.
• Option a. has 'started' which is in simple past tense. So it is incorrect.
• Option c. has 'it is starting to rain' is not appropriate here and it is present continuous tense.
• Option d. 'no change' is wrong because 'it was starting to rain' cannot be correct as 'starting' is not a process, it happens immediately.
• Option b. 'when it was raining' is the right answer because this is also it past continuous tense.