During, While, For, Preposition Exercises and Difference
Difference/Exercise 1: 🗣️ In this first exercise, you have to compare ‘during’ and ‘while’.
Exercise 2: 🗣️ In this exercise, you have to practice using ‘for’ and ‘during’.
What's the difference between 'during' and 'while'?
During
We use ‘during’ to talk about a specific period of time or event. It explains when something happens.
Sentence examples:
- He had many amazing experiences during his holiday.
- During the covid pandemic, many people had to change the way they worked.
- I like to visit my parents during my holidays.
Construction = during + noun
While
We use ‘while’ when two things are happening at the same time.
Sentence examples:
- While he was on holiday, he broke his arm playing tennis.
- My child kept speaking to me while I was on the phone.
- I had an amazing idea while I was walking.
Construction = while + subject + verb
Exercise 1 – ‘During’ / ‘While’
1 . He got sick _____ his holiday.
during / while
✅ during
ℹ️ This answers the question “When did he get sick?”
2. He got sick _____ he was on holiday.
✅ while
ℹ️ This expresses 2 things happening at the same time (the sickness and the holiday)
3. My phone rang _____ I was having a bath.
✅ while
ℹ️ The sentence shows the bath and the phone call happening at the same time.
4. _____ my bath, my phone rang several times..
✅ During
ℹ️ This sentence answers the question “At what point did your phone ring?”
5. I am going to study _____ my 1 month holiday.
✅ during
ℹ️ This answers the question “When exactly, are you going to study?”
6. _____ I am on holiday, I am going to study.
✅ While
ℹ️ Expresses 2 things happening at the same time.
7. _____ she was away on business, her dog was sick.
✅ while
ℹ️ Shows these 2 things happening at the same time.
8. ______ my business trip, my dog was sick.
✅ During
ℹ️ Highlights ‘when’ something happened.
9. _____ the festival, the sun appeared many times.
✅ During
ℹ️ Expresses when the sun appeared.
10. ______ the festival was on, it was sunny.
✅ while
ℹ️ Expresses two things happening at the same time.
11. _____ her work, she likes to listen to music.
✅ during
ℹ️ Answers the question ‘when’.
12. ______ she works, she likes to listen to music
✅ While
ℹ️ Expresses her work and listening to music happening at the same time.
13. They kept talking ______ I was making my presentation.
✅ while
ℹ️ Expresses these two things happening at the same time.
14. They kept talking many times _____ my presentation.
✅ during
ℹ️ Answers the question “When did they talk and interupt you?”
15. He likes to learn Italian ______ his drive to work.
✅ during
ℹ️ Answers the question “When does he like to learn Italian?”
16. ______ he drives in his car, he tries to learn Italian.
✅ While
ℹ️ Expresses these two things happening at the same time.
17. He was relaxed ______ his operation.
✅ during
ℹ️ This person is describing when he was relaxed.
18. He was relaxed _____ he was having his operation.
✅ while
ℹ️ This person is describing these two things happening at the same time.
19. ____ Samantha played the guitar, she also sang.
✅ While
ℹ️ Describing two things happening at the same time.
20. ______ her performance, Samantha played the guitar and sang.
✅ During
ℹ️ Highlights when this happened.
21. It started to rain ______ the night.
✅during
ℹ️ This sentence describes when it started to rain.
22. _____ we were sleeping, it also rained.
✅ While
ℹ️ This sentence highlights the sleeping and the rain happening at the same time.
23. _____ my Spanish lesson, one of my students fell asleep.
✅ During
ℹ️ Highlights when the student fell asleep.
24. I noticed one of my students was asleep _____ I was giving my Spanish lesson.
✅ while
ℹ️ This sentence highlights the two things happening simultaneously.
Exercise 2 – ‘During’ / ‘For’
For
We use for to express how long something has happened.
Sentence examples:
- I have worked at this company for 17 years
- They have lived in New York for 4 months.
- Emma studied hard for 6 months and then she had a holiday.
Exercise 2
Click to see the answers and explanations.
1 . They are going on holiday next week and will be away _____ 1 month.
for / during
✅ for
ℹ️ Expresses how long the holiday happened.
2. It gets very cold _____ the winter.
✅ during
ℹ️ Expresses when it was cold.
3. ______ the 1980’s, many people got rich.
✅ During
ℹ️ Describes when people got rich.
4. He travelled around the world _____ 3 years.
✅ for
ℹ️ Describes how long his travel time was.
5. I was very annoyed because he spoke on the phone _____ 2 hours.
✅ for
ℹ️ Describes the duration of the phone call.
6. Many people got injured _____ the football match.
✅ during
ℹ️ Describes when this happened.
7. I saw my old teacher _____ my lunch break.
✅ during
ℹ️ This sentences express when this happened.
8. Mike and Jenny have been married _____ 23 years.
✅ for
9. She will be away ____ 3 weeks.
✅ for
10. The new movie has been on at the cinema _____ 2 days.
✅ for
11. _____ my important phone call, I kept getting attacked by my cat!
✅ During
12. The phone call lasted _____ 30 minutes.
✅ for
13. I had a great time _____ the concert.
✅ during
14. I have been a teacher _____ 25 years.
✅ for
15. We will be in Europe ____ 2 months.
✅ for
16. The presenter made many jokes _____ the podcast.
✅ during
17. The food has been in the microwave ____ too long! It will burn!
✅ for
18. Many people took photos _____ his graduation ceremony.
✅ during
19. _____ the war, my grandad fought in France and Germany.
✅ During
20. You need to study ____ at least 3 months to be able to pass the exam.
✅ for
21. The examiner stopped me ____ my driving test.
✅ during
22. The circus will be in town ____ 6 weeks.
✅ for
23. He’s been sleeping _____ 10 hours!
✅ for
24. I have been doing overtime at work _____ 4 nights. I’m really tired.
✅ for
24. Brad made some great suggestions _____ the meeting.
✅ during
