For, during and while

For, during and while are used in time expressions.

For

For is a time expression followed by a length of time – for an hour.

Examples with for:

I have been waiting for an hour.
Sarah is going to Spain for ten days.
Henry lived in France for five years.

During

During is followed by a noun. It is used to explain what happened throughout the period or in the course of an action or event.

Examples with during:

We always like to travel during the summer.
The results of the test were given to us during the lesson.
The accident occurred during the night.

While

While is followed by a subject and a verb.
While is used to explain an action that occurs during the time another action was taking place.

Examples of while:

They held hands while they were watching the film.
The journalists took notes while the President was speaking.
We will pick some flowers while we’re walking along the lake.

Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school

Now complete the following with for, during or while:

• 1. Peter's been waiting at the station _ over an hour.
  
  while
  during
  for
  
  
• 2. I went shopping _ David was preparing the flat for the party
  
  for
  during
  while
  
  
• 3. Sarah knows New York well. She lived there _ 5 years.
  
  during
  for
  while
  
  
• 4. My parents come over to Malta _ the summer for a couple of weeks.
  
  for
  while
  during
  
  
• 5. I ordered the pizzas _ the others were watching the game.
  
  for
  while
  during
  
  
• 6. I usually go jogging _ an hour every morning.
  
  for
  while
  during
  
  
• 7. _ the Christmas holidays we usually visit friends and relax.
  
  During
  For
  While
  
  
• 8. In Europe, when you are at a cafe you can stay at the table _ as long as you like.
  
  while
  during
  for
  
  
• 9. I revised my notes for the test _ I was travelling to school.
  
  for
  during
  while
  
  
• 10. I hate it when a phone rings _ a film at the cinema.
  
  for
  during
  while