English Bites!

English Bites! are practical, bite-sized tips to help you improve your English for work. Published twice a week, the articles include useful advice covering different aspects of business English including grammar, vocabulary, writing, speaking as well as fun topics. It'll take just a few minutes to read each tip. You can subscribe to English Bites! from the Newsletters link above. After that, you'll receive notifications of all new tips by email.

Since vs For vs During vs While vs Ago

12 Nov 2023

Confused This article looks at the differences between the indicators of time – ‘for’, ‘since’, ‘during’, ‘while’ and ‘ago’.

Since and For

Since and for are both used to refer to the duration of a state or event.

For is used when we are told how long a period of time lasts; it can be used (i) for a length of time in the past, (ii) for a period of time beginning in the past and coming up to the present or (iii) with reference to the future.

Examples:

He worked as a systems analyst for three years.

We have been working closely with the consultant for months.

The chairman will stay for about one hour.

Since is used when we are told when the period began.

Examples:

She’s been working as a supervisor since 2016.

We haven’t heard from you since April.

When she finally arrived for the interview at 11.45 I was really annoyed because I had been waiting since 10.30.

Note that since is used after It’s + time expression:

It’s a long time since we discussed this issue.

The expression ever since indicates a turning point; from that time on something has or has not been the case:

Ever since the development of the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong’s industry has faced keen competition.

During

During is used to show that something happens inside a period of time; it is followed by a noun phrase usually beginning with the or a possessive.

Examples:

During the week I’m extremely busy.

During the last two years, many efforts have been made to attract young Mainland professionals.

I very much enjoyed meeting you during my trip to Beijing.

Note the difference between:

(a) I’ll be there during the afternoon.

(b) I’ll be there for the afternoon.

(a) means ‘at some time in the afternoon, but not all the time’.

(b) means ‘the whole afternoon’.

While

While is similar in meaning to during but is followed by (1) a subject and verb, or (2) a gerund (verb + ing).

Examples: