When the lightning struck, the exchange was operating fine vs When the lightning struck, the exchange is operating fine

The correct phrase is "when the lightning struck, the exchange was operating fine." This is because the past tense "was" is used to describe an action that occurred in the past at the same time as another action, which is indicated by "when." The use of the present tense "is" in the second phrase is incorrect in this context.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 887 views

This phrase is correct as it uses the past tense "was" to describe an action that occurred in the past at the same time as another action.

"When the lightning struck, the exchange was operating fine"

This phrase is used to describe a past event that happened at the same time as another event. The past tense "was" is used to indicate the action of the exchange operating fine when the lightning struck.

Show examples from the web [+]

When the lightning struck Belmont, he went up like a torch.
When the big storm broke out, they were probably on the road that runs under the mountain wall, where most of the lightning struck.
Lightning struck, and everything changed.
Best l can figure is the lightning struck the car, killed the kid on contact.
'The lightning struck the imam, not me...'...he says.
The way the lightning struck you, you had to have been killed on the spot, or else to have died of asphyxiation.
If lightning struck the window like Arthur said, The glass would fall on the inside the window.
At the time, the exchange was Yongsan at noon.
Furthermore, the switch could be locked on when the machinery was operating.
Unfortunately, your father is where the lightning first struck, where there were fireworks.
lightning struck the altar, the light of day was dimmed, deathly horror spread soundlessly around.
See, the blackouts - They always follow the lightning when the lightning strikes the island's power station.
Not if lightning struck the mine.
We send someone in as the Courier, tell her the exchange was a setup, the deal's off... she can pick up Seth where she dropped him off.
After 9/11, the exchange was redesigned to go on lock down in the event of an attack, to keep combatants out.
The exchange was the only way to contact Peter.
The exchange was a benefit to both captains, sir.
So, Captain Anderson having an unhappy officer to dispose of and Sir Henry having an officer to get rid of, the exchange was made.
On that occasion, I pointed out that, when the hurricane struck, the Commission acted quickly in terms of initial aid.
It has now been 311 days since lightning struck.

This phrase is incorrect because it uses the present tense "is" instead of the past tense "was" to describe an action that occurred in the past at the same time as another action.

"When the lightning struck, the exchange is operating fine"

Show examples from the web [+]

When the lightning struck Belmont, he went up like a torch.
When the big storm broke out, they were probably on the road that runs under the mountain wall, where most of the lightning struck.
Lightning struck, and everything changed.
Best l can figure is the lightning struck the car, killed the kid on contact.
'The lightning struck the imam, not me...'...he says.
The way the lightning struck you, you had to have been killed on the spot, or else to have died of asphyxiation.
If lightning struck the window like Arthur said, The glass would fall on the inside the window.
When the most expensive form of energy is coal-based, the exchange is a profit machine for the producers of hydroelectric and atomic energy.
When the exchange is over, you better run for your life.
Unfortunately, your father is where the lightning first struck, where there were fireworks.
lightning struck the altar, the light of day was dimmed, deathly horror spread soundlessly around.
See, the blackouts - They always follow the lightning when the lightning strikes the island's power station.
Not if lightning struck the mine.
When the meter is operating under varying-load current, the percentage errors shall not exceed the limits given in Table 2.
When the meter is operating under varying-load current, the percentage errors shall not exceed the limits given in Table 2.
On that occasion, I pointed out that, when the hurricane struck, the Commission acted quickly in terms of initial aid.
It has now been 311 days since lightning struck.
Lightning struck that thing 60 years ago.
I'm getting old, or else lightning struck.
The kids said lightning struck the area.

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When the lightning struck, the exchange was operating fine vs When the lightning struck, the exchange is operating fine