Is it different in English?

Question

Maybe I’m wrong but I thought in English, “when” is the one that goes with pretérito indefinido because it is “when” something happens, “when” something interrupts an existing action. So I would say “I was taking a shower when the phone rang” or “when you called, I was talking to a friend.” It’s weird to me to use “when” to go with an ongoing action. I mean “when” is a point in time, right? Not an ongoing event.

Answer

If you think about it, when you shower you don't do it in an instant it's for a period of time, so when I was showering [ongoing action] the phone rang [interruption]. It may be easier for you to think of when as while/whilst.

Answer

In the English (and other) languages, it is often a question of 'taste' as to what constructions get utilised; i.e., they are not always governed by strict 'rigid rules'. Like Johnny and Marsha, I personally would be inclined to say 'while' if I was referring to an ongoing event . However, according to Michael Swan's "Practical English Usage" [Oxford UP, 1980 > 1988], in that context it is also permissible to use 'when'.

Quite possibly, older English grammar books would discourage 'when', while you are talking about ongoing events.