'For' answers the question 'How long?' by telling you a time period: For five minutes For three years For a long time 'Since' answers the question 'How long?' by telling you when the period started: Since 12 o'clock Since 1998 Since I was a child 'During' answers the question 'When?': During the lesson During the meeting During the party During the second world war During the 19th century.

During: throughout the course or duration of (a period of time). Example: He left during the moving. In other words, he left before the movie ended. Example: They argued during the party. Again, it references a period of time. The party was still going on when the argument took place.

"During the meeting no one was paying attention" During refers to an event, and for the duration of that event something else was going on. I hope this was helpful. If you have more questions concerning those little words, please let me know. If you at any point want to practice what you are learning, just get in touch, I offer classes for exactly that purpose!