before, during and after go with a noun (during the film); while goes with a verb (while I was eating). Use for, not during, with a length of time. before and after can also take -ing (after eating), never to + verb.
A before, during, after + noun
before the match, during the match, after the match.
- Most people feel anxious before an interview.
- I nodded off during the lecture.
- We were starving after our long walk.
B before, while, after + subject + verb
before we played, while we were playing, after we played.
- Remember to switch the oven off before you leave.
- I often fall asleep while I'm reading.
- They went for a coffee after they finished the shopping.
C during, while and for
during + noun: during the meal.
while + subject + verb: while we were eating (not during we were eating).
for + a period of time (three days, two hours, a year), not during.
- Nobody spoke during the meal.
- No one said a word while the film was on. (not during the film was on)
- We played badminton for an hour. (not during an hour)
- I worked in Berlin for six months. (not during six months)
D before / after + -ing
You can use before / after + -ing: before leaving, after eating.
Do not say before to go or after to do.
- I always check my emails before leaving the house. (= before I leave)
- After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee. (= after they finished)
- Before eating the peach, I washed it. (not before to eat)
- I went for a run after finishing my homework. (not after to finish)
Exercises
105.1 Complete the sentences. Use before, during, after or while with one of these: the gig / the test / they moved to Canada / the course / breakfast / you are waiting / the end / the night.
Everyone was nervous before the test.
Everyone was nervous before the test.
I usually study for three hours in the morning and another hour .
I usually study for three hours in the morning and another hour after breakfast.
The play was really dull. We left .
The play was really dull. We left before the end.
Tom took an evening class to learn Italian. He learnt a great deal .
Tom took an evening class to learn Italian. He learnt a great deal during the course.
My grandparents lived in Belfast .
My grandparents lived in Belfast before they moved to Canada.
"Someone stole a bike from the shed . Did you hear anything?" "No. I was fast asleep."
"Someone stole a bike from the shed during the night. Did you hear anything?" "No. I was fast asleep."
Would you like a cup of tea ?
Would you like a cup of tea while you are waiting?
"Are you going straight home ?" "No, we're going for a pizza."
"Are you going straight home after the gig?" "No, we're going for a pizza."
105.2 Put in during, while or for.
duringwhilefor
Nobody spoke while we were eating.
Nobody spoke while we were eating.
Nobody spoke during the meal.
Nobody spoke during the meal.
Your sister rang you were in the shower.
Your sister rang while you were in the shower.
We stayed in Vienna four nights.
We stayed in Vienna for four nights.
Kate took hundreds of photos she was travelling.
Kate took hundreds of photos while she was travelling.
The audience looked restless the speech.
The audience looked restless during the speech.
I banged my head I was climbing into the loft.
I banged my head while I was climbing into the loft.
Last night I played video games four hours.
Last night I played video games for four hours.
I don't usually eat anything the morning.
I don't usually eat anything during the morning.
Do you ever look at your phone you're driving?
Do you ever look at your phone while you're driving?
105.3 Complete the sentences. Use -ing (doing etc.).
After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.
After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.
I felt ill after too many sweets.
I felt ill after eating too many sweets.
Read the question twice before it.
Read the question twice before answering it.
I felt terrible when I woke up, but I felt better after a strong coffee.
I felt terrible when I woke up, but I felt better after having a strong coffee.
After my essay, I closed the laptop and went to bed.
After finishing my essay, I closed the laptop and went to bed.
Before abroad, it's a good idea to check your passport.
Before going abroad, it's a good idea to check your passport.
105.4 Write sentences with before + -ing and after + -ing.
They finished the shopping. Then they went for a coffee. After ...
After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.
After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.
Ruby left university. Then she worked in a museum for a year. Ruby worked ...
Ruby worked in a museum for a year after leaving university.
I listened to some music. Then I went to sleep. Before ...
Before going to sleep, I listened to some music.
We cycled for four hours. We were exhausted. After ...
After cycling for four hours, we were exhausted.
Let's have some lunch. Then we'll go to the beach. Let's ...
Let's have some lunch before going to the beach.