Question

Choose the option that best fills in the blank
_________ you called, he was holding his newborn baby. [Basic]

• A. when
• B. while
• C. but
• D. for

Answer 1

The correct option is A when

A conjunction combines or connects two sentences as one. When one of them depends on the other for its full meaning, that clause is the subordinate clause and the clause it depends on is the main clause. Here, we require a time-related conjunction as both clauses are in terms of the events (you called, he was holding his newborn baby) occurring at a particular time. From the options, 'when' is the most suitable option, as it demonstrates an interruption, there's a very short lapse in time between 'you calling and him picking up the phone', they both don't occur at the same time, but the second activity interrupts the first, hence we use 'when' and not 'while'. 'While' is used when two activities are taking place simultaneously, but here they aren't. Hence option A is correct and B is incorrect.
'But' is a coordinating conjunction used when both clauses are independent and do not depend on the other for their full meaning, and is used to express a contrast in meaning between these clauses. But here we don't need a coordinating conjunction, and the clauses are not contrast-related, hence option C is incorrect. 'For' is also a coordinating conjunction, used when one clause is inferred or deduced from another, and that isn't the case here, hence option D is incorrect.