QuickenBrain

During vs. while

SentencesRule 6 of 6

The rule

"During" is followed by a noun: "during the meeting". "While" is followed by a clause with a subject and a verb ("while we were meeting"), or by an -ing form: "while driving". If the next words have their own subject and action, use "while".

Wrong and right

  1. Wrong He called me during I was driving.

    Right He called me while I was driving.

  2. Wrong Please don't talk while the movie.

    Right Please don't talk during the movie.

  3. Wrong She took notes during the professor was speaking.

    Right She took notes while the professor was speaking.

  4. Wrong I met her while my trip to Seoul.

    Right I met her during my trip to Seoul.

  5. Wrong The power went out during we were cooking.

    Right The power went out while we were cooking.