For and during
We use for + a period of time to say bow long something goes on:
for two hours, for a week, for ages For example:
* We watched television for two hours last night.
* Victoria 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 film during our holiday during the night
For example:
* I fell asleep during the film.
* We met a lot of people during our holiday.
* The ground is wet. It must have rained during the night.
With a 'time word' (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 film. I was asleep for half an hour.
During and while
Compare:
We use during + noun:
I fell asleep during the film.
Compare during and while in these examples:
* We met a lot of interesting people during our holiday.
* Robert suddenly began to feel ill during the examination.
We use while + subject + verb:
* I fell asleep while I was watching television.
* We met a lot of interesting people while we were on holiday.
* Robert suddenly began to feel ill while he was doing the examination.
Some more examples of while:
* We saw Amanda while we were waiting for the bus.
* While you were out, there was a phone call for you.
* Christopher read a book while I watched television.
When you are talking about the future, use the present (not 'will') after while:
* I'll be in London next week. I hope to see Tom while I'm there. (not 'while I will be there')
* What are you going to do while you are waiting? (not 'while you will be waiting')
EXERCISES
118.1. Put in for or during.
1. It rained _for_ three days without stopping.
2. I fell asleep _during_ the film.
3. I went to the theatre last night. I met Lucy --- the interval.
4. Martin hasn't lived in Britain all his life. He lived in Brazil --- four years.
5. Production at the factory was seriously affected --- the strike.
6. I felt really ill last week. I could hardly eat anything --- I three days.
7. I waited for you --- half an hour and decided that you weren't coming.
8. Sue was very angry with me. She didn't speak to me --- a week.
9. We usually go out at weekends, but we don't often go out --- the week.
10. Jack started a new job a few weeks ago. Before that he was out of work --- six months.
11. I need a change. I think I'll go away --- a few days.
12. The President gave a long speech. She spoke --- two hours.
13. We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn't had anything to eat --- the journey.
14. We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn't had anything to eat --- eight hours.
118.2 Put in during or while.
1. We met a lot of people _while_ while. we were on holiday.
2. We met a lot of people _during_ our holiday.
3. I met Mike --- I was shopping.
4. --- we were in Paris, we stayed at a very comfortable hotel.
5. --- our stay in Paris, we visited a lot of museums and galleries.
6. The phone rang three times --- we were having dinner.
7. The phone rang three times --- the night.
8. I had been away for many years. --- that time, many things had changed.
9. What did they say about me --- I was out of the room?
10. Jack read a lot of books and magazines --- .I. he was ill.
11. I went out for dinner last night. Unfortunately, I began to feel ill --- the meal and had to go home.
12. Please don't interrupt me --- I'm speaking.
13. There were many interruptions --- the President's speech.
14. Can you lay the table --- I get the dinner ready?
15. We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn't had anything to eat --- we were travelling.
118.3 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.
1. I fell asleep while _I was watching television._
2. I fell asleep during _the film._
3. I hurt my arm while ---.
4. Can you wait here while ---?
5. Most of the students looked bored during ---.
6. I was asked a lot of questions during ---.
7. Don't open the car door while ---.
8. The lights suddenly went out during ---.
9. It started to rain during ---.
10. It started to rain while ---.
118.1
3 during 4 for 5 during
6 for 7 for 8 for
9 during 10 for 11 for
12 for 13 during 14 for
118.2
3 while 4 While 5 During
6 while 7 during 8 During
9 while 10 while 11 during
12 while 13 during 14 while
15 while
118.3
Example answers:
3. I was doing the housework.
4 I make a quick phone call?
5 the lesson.
6 the interview.
7 the car is moving.
8 the meal.
9 the game
10 we were playing football
