During means in the course of something and is followed by a noun; while means at the same time as and is followed by an action with a verb. So you say during the lesson, but while I was having lunch.
during or while — can you pick the right one?
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during + noun (the meeting/my stay/the summer); while + clause (I was working); while + -ing
- My phone rang twice during the job interview, which was really embarrassing.
- I usually listen to podcasts while I'm cooking dinner.
- Please don't check your phone while driving, even at traffic lights.
What changed
First versionI met my wife during I was studying in Kazan.
RevisionI met my wife while I was studying in Kazan.
Both words can be explained as at the time of, so it is easy to put during before any continuation. But during can only be followed by a noun: during my studies. Here the next part has a verb, I was studying, so you need while.
While has a second meaning, whereas, used for comparing: My brother loves football, while I prefer tennis. During is also confused with for: for answers the question “how long?” and during answers “when?”: I lived in Spain for two years, and during that time I learnt Spanish.
Your turn
Someone stole my bag ___ I was buying tickets at the station.
Show the answer
while — After the gap comes an action with a verb: I was buying tickets. Before such an action, use while. During needs a noun, for example during the trip.
Describe something that happened on your last trip. Use during with the name of the trip or event, and while with what you were doing at that moment.
During our trip to Georgia, I lost my passport while I was taking photos at a market in Tbilisi.
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