UNIT 110 For, during and while

A. 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.

B. 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')

See also Unit 25.