“Word crashed while I was working on it, but luckily I was able to retrieve the file.”
Earlier today, you were writing a resume for applying for a job. While you were writing, the computer program shut down and you were worried that your file would be lost. You say this when telling a friend about what happened.
Word crashed while I was working on it, but luckily I was able to retrieve the file.
Want Video and Sound? Follow us on YouTube
(a computer program) crashed
The word "crash" describes a computer program which stops working suddenly. The program suddenly closes or disappears.
Your entire computer can also "crash".
(something happened) while I was (doing something)
Explain two different things that happened at the same time using "while":
I found some spare change while I was looking for the remote in the couch cushions.
I called up Phillip while I was waiting for my flight to board.
it
In the example above, "it" means the resume document. You can imagine that someone already mentioned it before in the conversation.
luckily I was able to (do something)
This is a common phrase to use when you're describing how you solved a problem:
There was some water leaking out of the side of it. Luckily I was able to find the leak and fix it before it became a big problem.
We didn't have anyone to stay with or any kind of hotel reservation. Luckily we were able to find a decent room at the Sheraton.
retrieve a file
To "retrieve" something means to get it back after it's been lost, hidden, or stored.
One common way to use "retrieve" is to talk about information on a computer:
New solid state hard drives are able to retrieve files much more quickly than traditional ones.
Human beings also "retrieve" memories.