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P. Martines
Can I say "I was fiddling my phone while waiting"?
Thanks in advance. ^^
Sep 12, 2012 9:18 PM
Answers · 9
2
I was fiddling with my phone while waiting.
If you had the word with -- then yes you can say it.
Fiddling here means that you were doing something that was random in nature, for example looking at your music options and checking the time and then adjusting the brightness. You had no specific purpose in mind.
However if you spent the time, finally sorting out your phone contacts because you had the opportunity, that would not be fiddling.
September 12, 2012
Almost. I was fiddling WITH my phone whilst waiting
September 12, 2012
It's better to say, "I was fiddling WITH my phone while waiting."
fiddling (adjective) -> not important; petty
EXAMPLE:
The people in the meeting are wasting time talking about fiddling matters.
fiddle with something (idiom) -> 1) to play with something; 2)to fix a tool / device
She often fiddles with her pen when she's nervous.
**sometimes to fiddle with something is done unconsciously--we don't notice when we do it probably because we are nervous or bored.**
September 12, 2012
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P. Martines
Language Skills
Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Learning Language
Russian, Swedish
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