Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 105 · A2

before, after, during, while

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.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 25 minutes

In this lesson

before, during, after + nounA1 screen of questions
before, while, after + subject + verbB1 screen of questions
during, while and forC2 screens of questions
before / after + -ingD3 screens of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

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.

Point A · Extra practice

Put in before, during or after.

  1. I always feel nervous an exam.

  2. Nobody spoke the film. We were all gripped.

  3. We went for a curry the match.

Point B of 4

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.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in before, while or after.

  1. Turn off the lights you go to bed.

  2. I cut my finger I was cooking.

  3. We had a cup of tea we finished the gardening.

Point C of 4

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)

Point C · Exercise 105.2 · part 1 of 2

Put in during, while or for.

Use these

duringwhilefor

  1. Example

    Nobody spoke while we were eating.

    AnswerNobody spoke while we were eating.

  2. Example

    Nobody spoke during the meal.

    AnswerNobody spoke during the meal.

  3. Your sister rang you were in the shower.

  4. We stayed in Vienna four nights.

  5. Kate took hundreds of photos she was travelling.

  6. The audience looked restless the speech.

Point C · Exercise 105.2 · part 2 of 2

Put in during, while or for.

Use these

duringwhilefor

  1. I banged my head I was climbing into the loft.

  2. Last night I played video games four hours.

  3. I don't usually eat anything the morning.

  4. Do you ever look at your phone you're driving?

Point D of 4

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)

Point D · Exercise 105.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use -ing (doing etc.).

  1. Example

    After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.

    AnswerAfter finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.

  2. I felt ill after too many sweets.

  3. Read the question twice before it.

  4. I felt terrible when I woke up, but I felt better after a strong coffee.

  5. After my essay, I closed the laptop and went to bed.

Point D · Exercise 105.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use -ing (doing etc.).

  1. Before abroad, it's a good idea to check your passport.

Point D · Exercise 105.4

Write sentences with before + -ing and after + -ing.

  1. Example

    They finished the shopping. Then they went for a coffee. After ...

    After finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.

    AnswerAfter finishing the shopping, they went for a coffee.

  2. Ruby left university. Then she worked in a museum for a year. Ruby worked ...

  3. I listened to some music. Then I went to sleep. Before ...

  4. We cycled for four hours. We were exhausted. After ...

  5. Let's have some lunch. Then we'll go to the beach. Let's ...

Put it together · Exercise 105.1 · part 1 of 2

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.

  1. Example

    Everyone was nervous before the test.

    AnswerEveryone was nervous before the test.

  2. I usually study for three hours in the morning and another hour .

  3. The play was really dull. We left .

  4. Tom took an evening class to learn Italian. He learnt a great deal .

  5. My grandparents lived in Belfast .

Put it together · Exercise 105.1 · part 2 of 2

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.

  1. "Someone stole a bike from the shed . Did you hear anything?" "No. I was fast asleep."

  2. Would you like a cup of tea ?

  3. "Are you going straight home ?" "No, we're going for a pizza."

Lesson 105 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: in, at, on (places 1)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. before, during, after + noun–Not checkedB. before, while, after + subject + verb–Not checkedC. during, while and for–Not checkedD. before / after + -ing–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

Practise the words

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