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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #117858: For - during - while
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Adverbs | Conjunctions | Prepositions [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Adverbs of frequency - Adjectives and prepositions - Adjectives and adverbs - Adverbs of frequency - FOR and its use - Across / through - Adjectives and prepositions - Adverbs
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    For - during - while


    The prepositions for, during and while are often used in time expressions.

     

     

    FOR - DURING - WHILE

    >> For is usually followed by a length of time.

    - for one year, for three years, for a little time, for a month and so on.

    It answers the question, how long?

    Examples:

    - I have been standing here for 20 minutes.

    - Emilia is going to New York for a week.

    - She has been attending English lessons for a long time.

    - My parents lived in Wisconsin for 5 years.

     

    >> During is usually followed by a noun. It means 'throughout a period' or 'in the course/middle of' an action or event.

    - During the summer, I go to the beach very often.

    - Exercises were given to us during the lesson.

    - Aunt Lucie often comes to stay with us during the Spring Festival.

     

    >> While has the same meaning as 'during' but instead of a noun, it is usually followed by a subject and a verb.

    - They held hands while they were walking on the beach.

    - The students took notes while the teacher was speaking.

    >> Or by a verb.

    - Sam twisted his ankle while playing tennis.

    - I always listen to the morning news while driving to work.

    NOTE: While can also be used as a noun which means 'a length/period of time.'

    - I spoke to the manager for a while yesterday.

    - It's been a while since I read that book.

     

    Easy! Now, see how much you have learned by completing each sentence with for, during or while.





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    English exercise "For - during - while" created by anuesther with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from anuesther]
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    1. Hurry! Tom has been waiting at the bus-stop the past 10 minutes.

    2. Marie went shopping her husband was playing golf.

    3. I babysit for Jane on Tuesday evenings she goes to her yoga class.

    4. We used to go for a long midnight walk the midsummer.

    5. Her parents died she was still at elementary school.

    6. He was my only companion my stay in America.

    7. I have been a faithful reader of your newspaper many years.

    8. They sat there a short time whithout saying anything.

    9. Many students often go skiing winter vacation.

    10. She took a piece of cake and nibbled at it she was drawing a picture.










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