For and during
We use for + a period of time to say how long something goes on:
for two hours / for a week / for ages
- We watched television for two hours last night.
- Diane 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
- I fell asleep during the film.
- We met some really nice people during our holiday.
- The ground is wet. It must have rained during the night.
With ‘time words’ (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 I
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
We use during + noun:
- I fell asleep during the film.
- We met a lot of interesting people
We use while + subject + verb:
- I fell asleep while I was watching TV.
- We met a lot of interesting people during our holiday, while we were on holiday.
Some more examples of while:
- We saw Clare while we were waiting for the bus.
- While you were out, there was a phone call for you.
- Chris 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)