119 : during / for / while

   A   

For and during

 

 

We use for + a period of time to say how long something goes on:

     for two hours        for a week        for ages

• We watched TV for two hours last night.
• Jess is going away for a week in September.
• Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages.
• Are you going away for the weekend?

 

 

We use during + noun to say when something happens (not how long):

     during the movie        during our holiday        during the night

• I fell asleep during the movie.
• We met some really nice people during our holiday.
• The ground is wet. It must have rained during the night.

 

 

With 'time words' (for example: the morning / the afternoon / the summer), you can usually say in or during:

• It must have rained in the night. or ... during the night.
• I'll phone you sometime during the afternoon. or ... in the afternoon.

 

 

You cannot use during to say how long something goes on:

• It rained for three days without stopping. (not during three days)

 

 

Compare during and for:

• I fell asleep during the movie. I was asleep for half an hour.

 

 

   B   

During and while

 

Compare:

We use during + noun: I fell asleep during the movie. We met a lot of interesting people during our holiday. Robert suddenly began to feel ill during the exam.

We use while + subject + verb: I fell asleep while I was watching TV. We met a lot of interesting people while we were on holiday. Robert suddenly began to feel ill while he was doing the exam.

 

Some more examples of while:

• We saw Clare while we were waiting for the bus.
• While you were out, there was a phone call for you.
• Alex read a book while I watched TV.

 

When you are talking about the future, use the present (not will) after while:

• I'm going to Singapore next week. I hope to see some friends of mine while I'm there. (not while I will be there)
• What are you going to do while you're waiting? (not while you'll be waiting)

 

See also Unit 25.