A
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 movie
during our vacation
during the night
- I fell asleep during the movie.
- We met some really nice people during our vacation.
- 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 call 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 movie. I was asleep for half an hour.
B
During and while
Compare:
-—————————–
We use during + noun:
- I fell asleep during the movie.
the movie – noun
- We met a lot of interesting people during our vacation.
-
Robert suddenly began to feel sick during the exam.
-—————————–
We use while + subject + verb:
- I feel asleep while I was watching TV.
I was watching – subject + verb
We met a lot of interesting people while we were on vacation.
Robert suddenly began to feel sick while he was taking the exam.
-—————————–
Some more examples of while:
– We saw Claire 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 TV.
When you are talking about the future, use the present (not will) after while:
– I’ll be in Toronto 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)
コメント