For, During or While?
You met while with the past continuous and until with future time clauses. Each has a partner that is easy to confuse with it.
HOW LONG?for + a length of time
The bus was late, so we waited for forty minutes.
WHEN? · A NOUNduring + an event or period
Hùng fell asleep during the film.
WHEN? · A CLAUSEwhile + subject + verb
Mai phoned while I was having a shower.
For answers "how long?". During and while answer "when?".
A clause is a subject and a verb together: I was having a shower.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My grandparents ran a noodle shop in Hội An blank thirty years."
The forms
FOR
fora length of time
She has lived here for six months.
Works with any tense.
DURING
duringthe / my / this + noun
We met lots of tourists during the trip.
No verb after during.
WHILE
whileSverb
Please don't talk to me while I'm driving.
While needs a whole clause.
for two weeks · during the holidays · while we were at the beach
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Someone took my wallet blank I was on the bus."
When to use them
Asking a favour
Can you watch my bag while I buy the tickets?
At a bus station, to the person sitting next to you.
Promising an answer
I'll let you know by Monday.
Monday at the latest. Earlier is fine.
Often used with: tomorrow morning · the weekend · 5 p.m.
Opening hours
Is the museum open until five?
Check before you go.
By or Until?
| UNTIL | BY | |
|---|---|---|
| The action | goes on the whole time, then stops | happens once, at this time or earlier |
| Example | The office is open until 6 p.m. | You have to finish the report by Friday. |
| Ask yourself | All the time up to then? | No later than then? |
A deadline takes by, not until.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Can you pay me back blank the end of the month?"
- Question 2
"Let's wait here blank the rain stops."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I lived in Huế during three years.
Correct:I lived in Huế for three years.
Three years is a length of time. Use for.
Incorrect:My phone rang during I was driving.
Correct:My phone rang while I was driving.
I was driving is a clause. During needs a noun.
Incorrect:She texted me while the lesson.
Correct:She texted me during the lesson.
The lesson has no verb, so during.
Incorrect:Please send the form until Friday.
Correct:Please send the form by Friday.
Friday is a deadline. Sending happens once.
Incorrect:I'll stay in Đà Nẵng by Sunday.
Correct:I'll stay in Đà Nẵng until Sunday.
Staying goes on every day up to Sunday.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct word:
Tuấn studied in Singapore for two years.
- A. for — Correct
- B. during
- C. while
Answer: A. for
A length of time goes with for.
Choose the correct word:
Several people left during the speech.
- A. while
- B. during — Correct
- C. for
Answer: B. during
There is no verb after the gap, so while does not fit.
Choose the correct word:
I cut my finger while I was making dinner.
- A. during
- B. while — Correct
- C. for
Answer: B. while
Before a subject and a verb, use while.
Choose the correct word:
We have to pay for the tickets by Thursday.
- A. until
- B. by — Correct
Answer: B. by
Paying happens once. It must happen on Thursday or earlier.
Choose the correct word:
We sat in the café until it closed.
- A. until — Correct
- B. by
Answer: A. until
An action that continues up to a time takes until.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions