Thread: the use of "при"

Originally Posted by John_Douglas

я получил ожог при работе с электричеством... at least it sounds a bit strange to me.

To me it sounds normal. At least, I would not surprise if I hear this phrase. Maybe, it is a bit "official", but just a little bit.

But if you suggest "Я разговаривал с начальником при работе с электричеством", then yes, it is awkward. I would replace it with "... во время работы с электричеством" then.

Other opinions are welcome

Originally Posted by Боб Уайтман

To me it sounds normal. At least, I would not surprise if I hear this phrase. Maybe, it is a bit "official", but just a little bit.

But if you suggest "Я разговаривал с начальником при работе с электричеством", then yes, it is awkward. I would replace it with "... во время работы с электричеством" then.

Other opinions are welcome

So I guess your previous post is more or less correct - this construction with при is used when one action is a part of the other action, but not when two unconnected actions are just happening at the same time, whereas in English "while/when" can be used for both.

Originally Posted by John_Douglas

So I guess your previous post is more or less correct - this construction with при is used when one action is a part of the other action, ...

Not always though. There must exist the proper noun in Russian: курение, вождение, ...
Hence no ПРИ in the sentence:
Ёжики плакали, кололись, но продолжали жрать кактус.

Но ПРИ большом желании, можно переписать его:
При поедании кактуса ёжики плачут и колются.