UNIT 110 For, during and while

A. For and during

We use for + a period of time to say bow long something goes on:

for two hours, for a week, for ages For example:

* We watched television for two hours last night.

* Victoria 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

For example:

* I fell asleep during the film.

* We met a lot of people during our holiday.

* The ground is wet. It must have rained during the night.

With a 'time word' (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.)

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.

B. During and while

Compare:

We use during + noun:

I fell asleep during the film.

Compare during and while in these examples:

* We met a lot of interesting people during our holiday.

* Robert suddenly began to feel ill during the examination.

We use while + subject + verb:

* I fell asleep while I was watching television.

* We met a lot of interesting people while we were on holiday.

* Robert suddenly began to feel ill while he was doing the examination.

Some more examples of while:

* We saw Amanda while we were waiting for the bus.

* While you were out, there was a phone call for you.

* Christopher 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')

See also Unit 25.

@p237

EXERCISES

118.1. Put in for or during.

1. It rained _for_ three days without stopping.

2. I fell asleep _during_ the film.

3. I went to the theatre last night. I met Lucy --- the interval.

4. Martin hasn't lived in Britain all his life. He lived in Brazil --- four years.

5. Production at the factory was seriously affected --- the strike.

6. I felt really ill last week. I could hardly eat anything --- I three days.

7. I waited for you --- half an hour and decided that you weren't coming.

8. Sue was very angry with me. She didn't speak to me --- a week.

9. We usually go out at weekends, but we don't often go out --- the week.

10. Jack started a new job a few weeks ago. Before that he was out of work --- six months.

11. I need a change. I think I'll go away --- a few days.

12. The President gave a long speech. She spoke --- two hours.

13. We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn't had anything to eat --- the journey.

14. We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn't had anything to eat --- eight hours.

118.2 Put in during or while.

1. We met a lot of people _while_ while. we were on holiday.

2. We met a lot of people _during_ our holiday.

3. I met Mike --- I was shopping.

4. --- we were in Paris, we stayed at a very comfortable hotel.

5. --- our stay in Paris, we visited a lot of museums and galleries.

6. The phone rang three times --- we were having dinner.

7. The phone rang three times --- the night.

8. I had been away for many years. --- that time, many things had changed.

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

10. Jack read a lot of books and magazines --- .I. he was ill.

11. I went out for dinner last night. Unfortunately, I began to feel ill --- the meal and had to go home.

12. Please don't interrupt me --- I'm speaking.

13. There were many interruptions --- the President's speech.

14. Can you lay the table --- I get the dinner ready?

15. We were hungry when we arrived. We hadn't had anything to eat --- we were travelling.

118.3 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

1. I fell asleep while _I was watching television._

2. I fell asleep during _the film._

3. I hurt my arm while ---.

4. Can you wait here while ---?

5. Most of the students looked bored during ---.

6. I was asked a lot of questions during ---.

7. Don't open the car door while ---.

8. The lights suddenly went out during ---.

9. It started to rain during ---.

10. It started to rain while ---.

@p238

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1047