While I ironed gives a second action as a clause. During a quiet scene names the period in which something happened, without describing it in a full clause.

The idea

For these full clauses, use while + subject + verb. Use during + noun phrase to locate an event within a period. Use for + length of time to state duration.

Examples

  • I listened to a podcast while I ironed the shirts.
  • My phone vibrated during a quiet scene.
  • While Lea cooked, I laid the table.
  • We met our new neighbours during the summer festival.
  • Please don't move the chair while I'm painting it.
  • It rained for twenty minutes during our walk.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

During a scene does not necessarily mean throughout the whole scene. Do not write during I ironed. Reduced while ironing is possible when the implied subject fits the main clause; it is not a noun phrase after during.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. ___ Lea cooked, I laid the table. (While / During)

    Show answer or example answer

    While

    Lea cooked has a subject and verb, so introduce it with while.

  2. Choose the correct option. My phone vibrated ___ a quiet scene. (during / while)

    Show answer or example answer

    during

    A quiet scene is a noun phrase, so use during. The vibration need not last the whole scene.

  3. Choose the correct option. It rained ___ twenty minutes during our walk. (for / during)

    Show answer or example answer

    for

    Twenty minutes measures how long the rain lasted: use for. During our walk tells us when it happened.

Use it today

Describe two activities happening at the same time with while. Then name an event during which something happened and add its duration using for.