Uses of “For” and “During” as Preposition
We use for + a period of time to say how long something goes on:
for two hours
for a week
for ages
Usage of “For” in Sentences
Are you going away for the weekend?
We watched television for two hours last night.
We use during + noun to say when something happens (not how long):
during the film
during our holiday
during the night
Usage of “During” in Sentences
I fell asleep during the film.
The ground is wet. It must have rained during the night.
You cannot use during to say how long something goes on:
Ex. It rained for three days without stopping. (not during three days)
Examples of “During” and “While”
We use during + noun: Ex.
Robert suddenly began to feel ill during the exam.
We met a lot of interesting people during our holiday.
We use while + subject + verb: Ex.
We met a lot of interesting people while we were on holiday.
Robert suddenly began to feel ill while he was doing the exam.
When you are talking about the future, use the present (not will) after while:
Ex. I’ll be in London next week. I hope to see Tom while I’m there. (not while I will be there)
Preposition Exercise #1 – For / During
A: Put in for or during where necessary.
- He fell asleep _______ the film.
- It rained _______ three days without stopping.
- I went to the theatre last night. I met Sue ________ the interval.
- Martin hasn’t lived in Britain all his life. He lived in Brazil ______ four years.
- Production at the factory was seriously affected _______ the strike.
- I felt really ill last week. I could hardly eat anything _______ three days.
- Sarah was very angry with me. She didn’t speak to me _______ a week.
- I waited for you _______ half an hour and decided that you weren’t coming.
- We usually go out at weekends, but we don’t often go out _______ the week.
- I need a change. I think I’ll go away _______ a few days.
- The president gave a long speech. She spoke _______ two hours.
- We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn’t had anything to eat _______ the journey.
- Jack started a new job a few weeks ago. Before that he was out of work _______ six months.
- We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn’t had anything to eat _______ eight hours.
Preposition Exercise #2 – During / While
B: Put in during or while where necessary.
- I met Mike _______ I was shopping.
- We met a lot of interesting people _______ we were on holiday.
- We met a lot of interesting people _______ our holiday.
- _______ I was on holiday, I didn’t read any newspapers or watch TV.
- _______ our stay in Paris, we visited a lot of museums and galleries.
- The phone rang three times _______ we were having dinner.
- The phone rang three times _______ the night.
- What did they say about me ________ I was out of the room?
- Please don’t interrupt me ________ I’m speaking.
- There were many interruptions ________ the president’s speech.
- Can you lay the table ________ I get the dinner ready?
- We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn’t had anything to eat ______ we were travelling.
- I had been away for many years. _______ that time, many things had changed.
- I went out for dinner last night. Unfortunately I began to feel ill _______ the meal and had to go home.
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