For and during are different in some ways. Although they look similar in meaning, they are not interchangeable. Let’s see the differences.

For

We use for to say how long something goes on. For is followed by a period of time, such as for six months, for an hour, for five days, for two weeks, etc. Let’s see the following examples.

1. I have lived in Gothenburg for fifteen years.
2. She has been learning English for three months.
3. Sue is going on vacation for a week in August.
4. My children watched television for two hours last night.
5. It’s been raining for hours.

We cannot say :

1. I have lived in Gothenburg during fifteen years. (incorrect)
2. She has been learning English during three months. (incorrect)
3. Sue is going on vacation during a week in August. (incorrect)

During

We use during to say  when something happens. During is followed by noun such as during the night, during the show, during our holiday, during our vacation, during the examination, during the war, etc. Let’s see the following examples.

1. I was ill during my vacation.
2. My wife fell asleep during the film.
3. Everybody was laughing during the show last night.
4. All the students kept on silent during the examination.
5. Most of the business activities stop during the war.

We cannot say :

1. I was ill for my vacation. (incorrect)
2. My wife fell asleep for the film. (incorrect)

Typical Mistakes Examples in Using for and during

Some people generally make mistakes in using for and during. See the following examples:

1. During two hours I was looking for my lost phone.
2. He has been here during one hour.
3. It’s been raining for the day.
4. Can you stay here during 30 minutes?
5. All of these leaves fall for dry seasons.

For and During Exercise

Exercise I

In this exercise you have to complete the sentences with for  or during.

1. He has lived in Stockholm …. five years.
2. Two people was injured …. the strike.
3. Sue was very angry with me. She didn’t speak to me …. a week.
4. We’ve been waiting for you …… half an hour.
5. She was seriously ill. She couldn’t eat anything …… two days.
6. Everybody kept on watching the ball …. the match.
7. They usually go out at week-ends; we don’t have time to go out … the week.
8. There are always some parliament members falling asleep …. the meeting.
9. … his presidency, he always struggled to fight against corruption.
10. Nobody wanted to listen to him … the conversation.

Exercise II

Answer the questions using during or for.

1. Mention some times when people spend more money. (during)
2. Describe  how long people spend their time doing their typical daily activities. (for)

Answers

Exercise I

Download the exercises here.