Lesson 108 · Stage 9: Linking ideas
During vs while
IntermediateForm & use
during + noun, while + clause — at the same time as
1.Form
During and while both say that something happens in the time of something else. The difference is what comes next: during + noun, while + clause (subject + verb). For answers a different question: how long.
| Word | Followed by | Answers | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| during | noun (the film, the night, my holiday) | When? | I fell asleep during the film. |
| while | clause (subject + verb) | When? | I fell asleep while I was watching the film. |
| for | length of time (two hours, three days) | How long? | I slept for two hours. |
Many languages use one word for both. Quick check: is there a subject + verb after the gap? Yes → while. Only a noun → during.
2.During + noun
1. Something happens at some point in a period or event
My phone rang twice during the meeting.
Someone knocked on the door during the night.
2. All through the period
Most shops in our street close during Tet.
Nobody said a word during the whole trip.
Common: during the day / the night / the summer / the week / the war / the 1990s / my stay / the lesson / the meal.
3.While + clause
1. Two things happening at the same time
Linh listens to podcasts while she cooks.
Could you hold my coffee while I find my keys?
2. A short event interrupts a longer one — the longer one is usually in the past continuous (see the lesson “Past continuous”)
Someone stole my bag while I was waiting for the train.
While we were having dinner, the power went out.
3. Talking about the future: while + present tense (not will)
Can you water my plants while I'm away?
not: while I will be away
I'll do the shopping while you're at the dentist.
4. Short form: while + -ing (when both parts have the same subject)
Please don't use your phone while driving.
She hurt her back while lifting a heavy box.
While has a second meaning, “but on the other hand”, used to contrast two things: My brother loves football, while I prefer badminton. This meaning has nothing to do with time.
4.For or during?
For + a length of time says how long something lasts. During + a period or event says when it happens. Don't use during to measure length: not “I waited during two hours”.
We went to Phu Quoc for five days during the summer holidays.
for = how long, during = when
It rained for three hours during the night.
I learned to cook while I was living in Osaka.
while + clause
I learned to cook during my time in Osaka.
during + noun
During the last two weeks is correct: “the last two weeks” is a specific period, not an answer to “how long?”. To give the length, use for: I've been sick for two weeks.
5.Common mistakes
During I was cooking, I burnt my hand.While I was cooking, I burnt my hand.
A clause follows → while.
I fell asleep while the film.I fell asleep during the film.
Only a noun follows → during.
I lived in Da Nang during five years.I lived in Da Nang for five years.
Length of time → for.
I'll call you while I will be in Hanoi.I'll call you while I'm in Hanoi.
Use the present after while for the future.
Don't talk during eating.Don't talk while eating.
With an -ing action, use while.
Examples
- I fell asleep during the film.
- Someone rang the doorbell while I was having a shower.
- The lights went out during the storm.
- Minh read a book while he was waiting for the bus.
