Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 119 · B1

during for while

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.

Start the lesson

17Steps · about 33 minutes

In this lesson

duringA1 screen of questions
for and duringB3 screens of questions
during and whileC3 screens of questions
Put it together+5 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

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.

Point A · Extra practice

Put in during.

  1. I fell asleep the film.

  2. We met some lovely people our holiday.

  3. There was a storm the night.

Point B of 3

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."

Point B · Exercise 119.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in for or during.

  1. Example

    It rained for four days without stopping.

    AnswerIt rained for four days without stopping.

  2. Example

    I nodded off during the film.

    AnswerI nodded off during the film.

  3. We saw a play on Saturday. I spilled my drink the second act.

  4. I had a terrible cold. I couldn't taste anything a week.

  5. The traffic was awful. We were stuck in a jam two hours.

  6. Bin collections were badly disrupted the strike.

Point B · Exercise 119.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in for or during.

  1. Josh was sulking. He didn't say a word to anyone two days.

  2. I'm too busy to cook the week, so I batch-cook on Sundays.

  3. I'm exhausted. I'm going to switch my phone off the whole weekend.

  4. The mayor gave a short speech. She spoke only ten minutes.

Point B · Exercise 119.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in for or during.

  1. We were starving when we got there. We hadn't eaten anything the journey.

  2. We were starving when we got there. We hadn't eaten anything eight hours.

Point C of 3

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?

Point C · Exercise 119.2 · part 1 of 3

Put in during or while.

  1. Example

    We made some great friends while we were living in Spain.

    AnswerWe made some great friends while we were living in Spain.

  2. Example

    We made some great friends during our year in Spain.

    AnswerWe made some great friends during our year in Spain.

  3. I bumped into Mike I was doing the shopping.

  4. I was on holiday, I didn't look at my phone once.

  5. I learnt a lot the course. The tutors were excellent.

  6. Did you hear the thunder the night?

Point C · Exercise 119.2 · part 2 of 3

Put in during or while.

  1. I'd been away for years. A lot had changed that time.

  2. What did they say about me I was out of the room?

  3. On long coach trips I always fall asleep the journey.

  4. Please don't interrupt me I'm talking.

Point C · Exercise 119.2 · part 3 of 3

Put in during or while.

  1. the summer holidays, the beach car park is always full by nine.

  2. We were desperate for a drink when we arrived. We hadn't stopped once we were driving.

Put it together · Exercise 119.3 · part 1 of 3

Put in during, for or while.

  1. Example

    I used to live in Bristol. I lived there for six years.

    AnswerI used to live in Bristol. I lived there for six years.

  2. The singer forgot the words the concert, but the audience sang along for her.

  3. Nobody came to see me I was in hospital.

  4. Try to avoid driving the rush hour.

  5. I was exhausted. I slept eleven hours.

Put it together · Exercise 119.3 · part 2 of 3

Put in during, for or while.

  1. Can you hold my bag I try on this coat?

  2. I'm not sure exactly when we'll arrive, but it'll be some time the afternoon.

  3. My back went last month. I couldn't bend down nearly a fortnight.

  4. My phone rang we were having tea.

Put it together · Exercise 119.3 · part 3 of 3

Put in during, for or while.

  1. Nobody knows how many people died the war.

Put it together · Exercise 119.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete these sentences with your own ideas.

  1. Example

    I burnt the toast while ...

    I burnt the toast while I was reading the paper.

    Example answerI burnt the toast while I was reading the paper.

  2. Example

    I fell asleep during ...

    I fell asleep during the film.

    Example answerI fell asleep during the film.

  3. Can you wait for me while ...

  4. Half the audience left during ...

  5. I felt really nervous during ...

  6. Please keep your seatbelt fastened while ...

Put it together · Exercise 119.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete these sentences with your own ideas.

  1. The lights suddenly went out while ...

  2. Who's going to feed the cat while ...

  3. It started to rain during ...

  4. It started to rain while ...

Lesson 119 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: by and until by the time ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. during–Not checkedB. for and during–Not checkedC. during and while–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked