The words WHILE and DURING are used in a very similar way. Below is a Podcast taken from the English Essentials Community Membership that explains how to use the words.
Here are some notes you can use while listening…
While = YOU do 2 actions
During = You do 1 action, something else does another action
STRUCTURES >>
NOTE: Action 1 is longer than action 2
Structure #1)
WHILE (action 1), I did (action 2)
Structure #2)
I did (action 2) WHILE I did (action 1)
Structure #3)
Action 2 DURING action 1
If we use “I” for the first action and not “I” for the second action, we use DURING.
If we use “someone/something” (action 2) WHILE “I” was (action 1)
Examples:
- While I was drinking, I received a phone call
- I received a phone call while I was drinking
- I received a phone call during the party
- I received a phone call while at the restaurant
- I received a phone call during the restaurant party
- While I was sleepwalking I hit my head
- I hit my head while I was sleepwalking