We continue showing how different prepositions are used. Today we will start with the following: for, during and while. We use for plus a period of time to say how long something goes on: for two hours, for a week etc.
He has lived in this house for twenty years. Sarah is going away for a week in December. Are you going away for the weekend? Where have you been the teacher has been waiting for you for ages?
You cannot use during in this way. It rained for three days without stopping. (not ‘during three days’).
We use during + noun to say when something happens (not how long): during the film, during our holiday, during the night. He fell asleep during the show. We visited many places during our holiday.
The pitch is water logged. It must have rained heavily during the night. I will visit you some time during the afternoon. We use during and a noun.
We use while and a subject plus verb. First example with a noun: He fell asleep during the show. (show is a noun). He fell asleep while I was watching the show. (I was is the verb + watching is the verb.
Compare during and while in these examples: We visited many places during our holiday. We visited many places while we were on our holiday. Jean suddenly began to feel ill during the examination. Jean suddenly began to feel ill while she was doing the examination.
Here are some more examples of while: We saw Fred while were waiting for the bus. While you were out, there was a phone call for you.
Billy read a book while Peter watched television. When you are talking about the future, use the present (not ‘will’ after while: I am going to school next week. I hope to see your teacher while I am there. What are you going to do while you are waiting?
Try this exercise: In this exercise you have to put in for or during. Examples: It rained for two days without stopping. He fell asleep during the film. I waited for you – half an hour and then decided that you weren’t coming. He hasn’t lived in Zambia all his life.
He lived in Zimbabwe – years. Production at the factory was seriously affected – the strike. I felt really ill last week, I couldn’t eat anything – three days. When we were at the theatre last night, we met Thando – the interval.
Sue was very angry after our argument. She did not speak to me – a week. We usually go out at week-ends, but we do not often go out – the week. Ben started a new job a few weeks ago. Before that he was out of work – six months.
This time you have to put in while or during. Examples: We visited many places while we were on holiday. We visited many places during our holiday. I met Benny – I was waiting for the bus. – we were in Paris, we stayed at a very comfortable hotel. – our stay in Paris, we visited a lot of museums and galleries.
The phone rang three times – we were having dinner last night. I had been away for many years – that time, many things had changed. What did she say about me – I was out of the room? Many interesting suggestions were made – the meeting.
Now use your own ideas to complete these sentences. Examples: I fell asleep while I was reading the newspaper. I didn’t sleep very well.
I kept waking up during the night. I fell asleep during -. The lights suddenly went out while -. I hurt my arm while -. Can you wait here while -. It rained a lot during – . The learners looked bored during -. I fell off my chair during -. She burnt herself while -.It started to rain while -.
Adjective + preposition: Have a look at these groups of adjectives + prepositions. Sometimes other prepositions are possible – a good dictionary will give you more information: nice/kind/good/ generous/mean/stupid/silly/ intelligent/clever/sensible/impolite rude/unreasonable OF someone to do something): Thank you. It was very mice/kind of you to help me. It’s stupid of her to go out without a coat. She will catch cold.
But: (to be) nice/kind/good/ generous/mean/(im)polite/rude/(un)pleasant (unfriendly/cruel TO someone – She has always been very bice/kind to me. (not with me).
Why were you so unfriendly to that old man? Angry/annoyed/furious (about something; with someone for doing something. What are you so angry/annoyed about? They were furious with me for not inviting them to the party.
Delighted/pleased/satisfied/disappointed WITH something: I was delighted/pleased with the present you gave me. Were you disappointed with your examination results? Bored/fed up WITH something:
She got bored/fed up with doing the same thing every day.
We pick it from here next week with more examples.
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