DURING, UNTIL, SINCE, and FOR
Prepositions can sometimes be tricky to use correctly, especially when they refer to time. Let’s explore the nuances of DURING, UNTIL, FOR, and SINCE, along with deeper explanations and examples to make their usage clearer.
DURING
Definition: Refers to a specific period of time when something happens, or indicates that one event occurs simultaneously with another.
Key Points:
- “During” is used to describe what happens in a particular time frame.
- It often answers the question “When?”
Examples:
- He slept during the meeting. (When did he sleep? During the meeting.)
- She felt nervous during the interview. (When did she feel nervous? During the interview.)
- Many animals migrate during the winter. (When do they migrate? During the winter.)
Additional Usage:
- During the holidays, we visit family and friends.
- The city was quiet during the storm.
UNTIL
Definition: Refers to an action or state that continues up to a specific time and stops at that point.
Key Points:
- “Until” can be used with specific points in time (hours, days, events, etc.).
- It indicates the endpoint of an action or state.
- “Until” is often shortened to ‘’till’’ in informal writing or speech.
Examples:
- I will stay up until midnight tonight. (The action of staying up ends at midnight.)
- They will study until the day of the exam. (The studying continues up to the exam day.)
- Wait here until I get back. (The waiting ends when I return.)
Additional Usage:
- The store is open until 10 p.m.
- He kept working until he finished the project.
FOR
Definition: Refers to a specific length of time, whether in the past, present, or future.
Key Points:
- “For” indicates the duration of an activity or state.
- It often answers the question “How long?”
Examples:
- I have lived in Brazil for 17 years. (How long? For 17 years.)
- They hadn’t seen each other for more than a year. (How long? For more than a year.)
- We talked on the phone for two hours. (How long? For two hours.)
Additional Usage:
- He waited for 30 minutes before leaving.
- She worked on the project for six months.
SINCE
Definition: Refers to a specific point in the past from which an action or state continues up to the present.
Key Points:
- “Since” is used with a specific starting point in the past.
- It often pairs with the present perfect tense.
- It answers the question “From when?”
Examples:
- I have lived in Brazil since 2002. (From when? Since 2002.)
- I haven’t been to NY since 2014. (From when? Since 2014.)
- She’s been working here since March. (From when? Since March.)
Additional Usage:
- He’s been playing soccer since he was 10 years old.
- It hasn’t rained here since last summer.
Comparison Chart
| Preposition | Describes | Key Question Answered | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| During | Period of time when something happens | When? | He laughed during the movie. |
| Until | Time up to a specific endpoint | Up to when? | Stay here until 5 p.m. |
| For | Length of time | How long? | She stayed for a week. |
| Since | From a specific time in the past | From when? | I’ve been here since 2010. |
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Confusing “for” and “since”:
- Incorrect: I’ve been living here for 2010.
- Correct: I’ve been living here since 2010. (Since refers to the starting point.)
- Using “until” instead of “during”:
- Incorrect: He slept until the meeting. (This implies he stopped sleeping when the meeting started.)
- Correct: He slept during the meeting. (This means he slept while the meeting was happening.)
- Forgetting that “since” works with a point in time, not a duration:
- Incorrect: She’s been studying since two hours.
- Correct: She’s been studying for two hours.
- Shortening “until” inappropriately:
- Informal: I’ll wait ‘till you get back. (Acceptable in casual speech.)
- Formal: I’ll wait until you get back. (Better for writing.)
By practicing these prepositions with a variety of examples, you’ll develop a clearer sense of how they function in English. Keep exploring different contexts and applying them to your sentences!