what were you doing when it happened vs what were you doing when it happens

The correct phrase is 'what were you doing when it happened'. The use of 'happened' in the past tense is appropriate because the question is referring to a specific event that occurred in the past.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 818 views

what were you doing when it happened

This phrase is correct. 'Happened' is used in the past tense to refer to a specific event that occurred in the past.

This phrase is used to ask someone about their actions at a particular moment in the past when a specific event occurred.

Examples:

What were you doing when it happened? I was cooking dinner.
I don't remember what I was doing when it happened.
She asked me what I was doing when it happened.
Can you tell me what you were doing when it happened?
He always talks about what he was doing when it happened.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, what were you doing when it happened the other times?
What were you doing when this happened?
What were you doing when this happened to my Dong Joo?
What were you doing before this happened?
What were you doing while this happened to my eyes?
What were you doing when the pain started?
What were you doing when I caught up?
What were you doing when it stopped?
What were you doing when you injured your back?
What were you doing when you got shot?
What were you doing when the victim said "please stop"?
What were you doing when you crashed your car?
What were you doing when Jinnai and Rin were attacked?
What were you doing when everyone else your age was living their lives?
What were you doing when the pain came on?
And what were you doing when my would-be killer made her escape?
What were you doing when the victim said "please stop"?
What were you doing when they walked into your house?
And what were you doing when I walked in?
What were you doing when this buzzing first started?

what were you doing when it happens

This phrase is incorrect. 'Happens' is in the present tense, which does not match the context of asking about a past event.

Show examples from the web [+]

What were you doing when the pain started?
What were you doing when I caught up?
What were you doing when it stopped?
What were you doing when this happened?
What were you doing when you injured your back?
What were you doing when you got shot?
What were you doing when the victim said "please stop"?
What were you doing when you crashed your car?
What were you doing when Jinnai and Rin were attacked?
What were you doing when everyone else your age was living their lives?
Well, what were you doing when it happened the other times?
What were you doing when this happened to my Dong Joo?
What were you doing when the pain came on?
And what were you doing when my would-be killer made her escape?
What were you doing when the victim said "please stop"?
What were you doing when they walked into your house?
And what were you doing when I walked in?
What were you doing when this buzzing first started?
So, what were you doing when you were pretending to be a hologram?
Lieutenant, what were you doing when you were 15 years old?

Alternatives:

what were you doing when it happened
what are you doing when it happens
what have you been doing when it happens
what will you be doing when it happens
what had you been doing when it happened

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what were you doing when it happened vs what were you doing when it happens