During + noun says when something happens; for + a period says how long; while + subject + verb says when, with a clause. After while, talk about the future with the present.
A during
During means at some time between the start and the end of something.
With time words (the morning, the night, the summer) you can usually use in or during.
- I nodded off during the film.
- We met some lovely people during our holiday.
- The garden furniture has blown over. There must have been a gale during the night.
- It rained in the night. It rained during the night.
- It's beautiful here in the summer.
B for and during
for + a length of time answers how long? during can't do that job: not during two hours.
during answers when?
- We watched telly for three hours last night.
- Jess is off to Portugal for ten days in May.
- Hello, stranger! I haven't heard from you for months.
- It rained for four days without stopping. (not during four days)
- "When did you nod off?" "During the film."
- "How long were you asleep?" "For about an hour."
C during and while
During + noun: during the film, during our holiday.
While + subject + verb: while I was watching telly, while we were on holiday.
About the future, use the present after while, not will (see Unit 25).
- I nodded off during the film.
- I nodded off while I was watching the film.
- We made some great friends while we were living in Spain.
- Robert felt ill during the exam.
- Robert got a nosebleed while he was giving his speech.
- We spotted Clare while we were queuing for tickets.
- While you were out, somebody rang for you.
- Alex cooked dinner while Amy put the children to bed.
- I'm going to Rome next month. I hope it isn't too hot while I'm there. (not while I will be)
- How will you pass the time while you're in hospital?
Exercises
119.1 Put in for or during.
It rained for four days without stopping.
It rained for four days without stopping.
I nodded off during the film.
I nodded off during the film.
We saw a play on Saturday. I spilled my drink the second act.
We saw a play on Saturday. I spilled my drink during the second act.
I had a terrible cold. I couldn't taste anything a week.
I had a terrible cold. I couldn't taste anything for a week.
The traffic was awful. We were stuck in a jam two hours.
The traffic was awful. We were stuck in a jam for two hours.
Bin collections were badly disrupted the strike.
Bin collections were badly disrupted during the strike.
Josh was sulking. He didn't say a word to anyone two days.
Josh was sulking. He didn't say a word to anyone for two days.
I'm too busy to cook the week, so I batch-cook on Sundays.
I'm too busy to cook during the week, so I batch-cook on Sundays.
I'm exhausted. I'm going to switch my phone off the whole weekend.
I'm exhausted. I'm going to switch my phone off for the whole weekend.
The mayor gave a short speech. She spoke only ten minutes.
The mayor gave a short speech. She spoke for only ten minutes.
We were starving when we got there. We hadn't eaten anything the journey.
We were starving when we got there. We hadn't eaten anything during the journey.
We were starving when we got there. We hadn't eaten anything eight hours.
We were starving when we got there. We hadn't eaten anything for eight hours.
119.2 Put in during or while.
We made some great friends while we were living in Spain.
We made some great friends while we were living in Spain.
We made some great friends during our year in Spain.
We made some great friends during our year in Spain.
I bumped into Mike I was doing the shopping.
I bumped into Mike while I was doing the shopping.
I was on holiday, I didn't look at my phone once.
While I was on holiday, I didn't look at my phone once.
I learnt a lot the course. The tutors were excellent.
I learnt a lot during the course. The tutors were excellent.
Did you hear the thunder the night?
Did you hear the thunder during the night?
I'd been away for years. A lot had changed that time.
I'd been away for years. A lot had changed during that time.
What did they say about me I was out of the room?
What did they say about me while I was out of the room?
On long coach trips I always fall asleep the journey.
On long coach trips I always fall asleep during the journey.
Please don't interrupt me I'm talking.
Please don't interrupt me while I'm talking.
the summer holidays, the beach car park is always full by nine.
During the summer holidays, the beach car park is always full by nine.
We were desperate for a drink when we arrived. We hadn't stopped once we were driving.
We were desperate for a drink when we arrived. We hadn't stopped once while we were driving.
119.3 Put in during, for or while.
I used to live in Bristol. I lived there for six years.
I used to live in Bristol. I lived there for six years.
The singer forgot the words the concert, but the audience sang along for her.
The singer forgot the words during the concert, but the audience sang along for her.
Nobody came to see me I was in hospital.
Nobody came to see me while I was in hospital.
Try to avoid driving the rush hour.
Try to avoid driving during the rush hour.
I was exhausted. I slept eleven hours.
I was exhausted. I slept for eleven hours.
Can you hold my bag I try on this coat?
Can you hold my bag while I try on this coat?
I'm not sure exactly when we'll arrive, but it'll be some time the afternoon.
I'm not sure exactly when we'll arrive, but it'll be some time during the afternoon.
My back went last month. I couldn't bend down nearly a fortnight.
My back went last month. I couldn't bend down for nearly a fortnight.
My phone rang we were having tea.
My phone rang while we were having tea.
Nobody knows how many people died the war.
Nobody knows how many people died during the war.
119.4 Complete these sentences with your own ideas.
I burnt the toast while ...
Example answer: I burnt the toast while I was reading the paper.
I fell asleep during ...
Example answer: I fell asleep during the film.
Can you wait for me while ...
Example answer: Can you wait for me while I pop into the bank?
Half the audience left during ...
Example answer: Half the audience left during the interval.
I felt really nervous during ...
Example answer: I felt really nervous during the driving test.
Please keep your seatbelt fastened while ...
Example answer: Please keep your seatbelt fastened while the plane is moving.
The lights suddenly went out while ...
Example answer: The lights suddenly went out while we were having tea.
Who's going to feed the cat while ...
Example answer: Who's going to feed the cat while we're away?
It started to rain during ...
Example answer: It started to rain during the match.
It started to rain while ...
Example answer: It started to rain while we were walking home.