during vs for
Meaning
Pattern
Example
When (inside a period)
during + noun
I usually run during the weekend.
How long (length)
for + time period
I run for one hour every day.
During · For · While (B1)
Meaning · Patterns · Word order · Common contrasts
Quick overview
- during = when something happens, used with a noun.
- for = how long something happens, used with a time period.
- while = two actions at the same time, used before a clause (subject + verb).
during + noun ➜ “when?”
- Events, time blocks, or activities: during the meeting / the night / the flight / the holidays.
- Means “at some point in” (not necessarily the whole period). I fell asleep during the film.
- Not followed by a verb. Use a noun or -ing noun: during the lesson · during reading time.
- during vs in: in is general time (in summer), during links to a specific period/event (during our summer trip).
- throughout = from beginning to end of a period. It rained throughout the night.
for + time period ➜ “how long?”
- Used with any tense: I waited for two hours. · We’ll be away for a week. · I’ve known her for years.
- Typical periods: for five minutes / for three days / for ages / for the whole day.
- In informal speech, for may be dropped, esp. in BrE: I’ve known her ten years. (informal)
- for vs since: for + period; since + starting point. for two years · since 2023
while + subject + verb ➜ “at the same time”
- Two simultaneous actions: I cooked while she set the table.
- Often with continuous forms for background action: I hurt my back while I was lifting boxes.
- Punctuation: If the while-clause comes first, add a comma. While I was waiting, I read the news.
- while vs when: use while for two longer actions in progress; use when for a single event interrupting another. I was having a shower when the phone rang.
- while vs as: as also means “at the same time” and can suggest gradual change. As it was getting dark, we went home.
during vs while
Meaning
Pattern
Example
When within an event
during + noun
I fell asleep during the film.
Two actions at the same time
while + clause
I fell asleep while I was watching the film.
Common mistakes
- ✗ during two hours → ✔ for two hours.
- ✗ for the night (meaning “at some time in the night”) → ✔ during the night. (for the night means “for one night as accommodation”.)
- ✗ while the meeting → ✔ during the meeting or ✔ while the meeting was taking place.
- Comma rule: ✔ While… , main clause. ✔ Main clause while… (no comma).
Exercises:
During, for, while
Choose during, for, while to complete the sentences below.
1
We chatted
lunch.
2
I stayed in Tokyo
three weeks.
3
I was waiting for the bus, it started to snow.
4
The lights went out
the storm last night.
5
She fell asleep
the movie.
6
He lived abroad
a decade before moving back.
7
Please don’t use your phone
the performance.
8
Can you feed the cat
I'm away this weekend?
9
We didn’t hear from them
two months.
10
we were driving home, the GPS stopped working.
During, for, while
Choose during, for, while for each gap below.
1
I fell asleep ____ the movie.
A.
B.
C.
2
Please don’t call me ____ I’m driving.
A.
B.
C.
3
We lived in Canada ____ three years.
A.
B.
C.
4
The lights went out ____ the storm last night.
A.
B.
C.
5
She smiled ____ she was reading the letter.
A.
B.
C.
6
I learned a lot ____ my internship in Berlin.
A.
B.
C.
7
The train was delayed ____ forty minutes.
A.
B.
C.
8
____ waiting for the bus, I met an old friend.
A.
B.
C.
9
We met several times ____ the conference.
A.
B.
C.
10
We haven’t seen each other ____ ages.
A.
B.
C.
During, for, while
Fill in the gaps with the words during, for or while.
1
Please don’t call me I’m in a meeting.
2
There was a sudden storm the ceremony.
3
We sat in traffic two hours.
4
I met Sara I was studying in Spain.
5
The Wi-Fi stopped working the exam.
6
This office is closed lunchtime on Fridays.
7
They’ve been married fifteen years.
8
I fell asleep the movie last night.
9
I was cleaning the kitchen, the doorbell rang.
10
We’re staying in Rome a week.