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Unit 105 · Prepositions

before, after, during, while

Study

A

before, during and after

›

Everybody feels nervous before exams.

›

I fell asleep during the film.

›

We were tired after our visit to the museum.

B

before, while and after

›

Don't forget to close the window before you go out.

›

I often fall asleep while I'm reading.

›

They went home after they did the shopping.

C

during, while and for

We use during + noun (during the film). We use while + verb (while I'm reading):

›

We didn't speak during the meal.

but

›

We didn't speak while we were eating. (not during we were eating)

Use for (not during) + a period of time (three days / two hours / a year etc.):

›

We played tennis for two hours. (not during two hours)

›

I lived in London for a year. (not during a year)

D

You can use before/after + -ing (before going / after eating etc.):

›

I always have breakfast before going to work. (= before I go to work)

›

After doing the shopping, they went home. (= after they did)

We say before going (not before to go), after doing (not after to do) etc.:

›

Before eating the apple, I washed it carefully. (not before to eat)

›

I started work after reading the newspaper. (not after to read)

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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105.1

Complete the sentences. Choose from the boxes.

afterduringbeforewhilelunchthe concertthe endthey went to Australiathe coursethe examyou're waitingthe night
  1. 1
    Everybody was nervous before the exam. example
  2. 2
    I usually work four hours in the morning, and another three hours .
  3. 3
    The film was really boring. We left .
  4. 4
    Anna went to evening classes to learn German. She learnt a lot .
  5. 5
    My aunt and uncle lived in London .
  6. 6
    A: Somebody broke a window {}. Did you hear anything? B: No, I was asleep all the time.
  7. 7
    Would you like to sit down ?
  8. 8
    A: Are you going home {}? B: Yes, I have to get up early tomorrow.
105.2

Write during/while/for.

  1. 1
    We didn't speak while we were eating. example
  2. 2
    We didn't speak during the meal. example
  3. 3
    Gary called you were out.
  4. 4
    Amy went to Italy and stayed in Rome five days.
  5. 5
    I didn't check my email I was away.
  6. 6
    The students looked very bored the lesson.
  7. 7
    I fell out of bed I was asleep.
  8. 8
    Last night I watched TV three hours.
  9. 9
    I don't usually watch TV the day.
  10. 10
    Do you ever watch TV you are having dinner?
105.3

Complete the sentences. Use -ing (doing, having etc.).

  1. 1
    After doing the shopping, they went home. example
  2. 2
    I felt sick after too much chocolate.
  3. 3
    I'm going to ask you a question. Think carefully before it.
  4. 4
    I felt awful when I got up this morning. I felt better after a shower.
  5. 5
    After my work, I left the office and went home.
  6. 6
    Before to a foreign country, it's good to try and learn a little of the language.
105.4

Write sentences with before + -ing and after + -ing.

  1. 1
    They did the shopping. Then they went home.
    After doing the shopping, they went home. example
  2. 2
    John left school. Then he worked in a bookshop for two years.
    John worked .
  3. 3
    I read for a few minutes. Then I went to sleep.
    Before .
  4. 4
    We walked for three hours. We were very tired.
    After .
  5. 5
    Let's have a cup of coffee. Then we'll go out.
    Let's .