Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast - Episode 2376: How to Pick the Preposition: During, Since, or For?

Hosts:

• Lindsey McMahon: The English adventurer
• Aubrey Carter: The IELTS whiz

Release Date: March 19, 2025
Title: How to Pick the Preposition: During, Since, or For?

Introduction

In Episode 2376 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsey McMahon and Aubrey Carter delve into the intricacies of choosing the correct preposition among during, since, and for. Aimed at intermediate to advanced English learners, this episode addresses common mistakes and provides clear guidelines to enhance listeners' understanding and usage of these time-related prepositions.

Hosts' Banter and Setting the Stage (00:00 - 04:04)

The episode opens with a brief introduction by Aubrey Carter, setting the tone for a focused grammar discussion. Lindsey McMahon shares a personal anecdote about her upcoming trip to New York to see the play Wicked, adding a relatable touch and subtly introducing temporal phrases that tie into the episode's theme.

Notable Quote:
Lindsey McMahon [02:04]: "I'm ready for a trip to New York this weekend, actually. I'm excited to New York. Oh, that's so fun."

Common Mistakes with Prepositions (04:06 - 05:10)

Aubrey and Lindsey highlight frequent errors made by English learners, such as using "during" or "since" incorrectly when "for" is appropriate. They emphasize that prepositions of time require specificity and cannot be interchanged based solely on direct translations from a learner's native language.

Notable Quote:
Aubrey Carter [04:06]: "We might hear someone say, 'I've been here during three years,' which is incorrect because 'during' doesn't work in this context."

Deep Dive into "For" (05:02 - 06:01)

The hosts explain that "for" is used to denote the duration of time something lasts. It is always followed by a specific period.

Examples Provided:

• "She's been learning English for 10 years."
• "He's had that job for six months."
• "We've been friends for ages."

Notable Quote:
Lindsey McMahon [05:10]: "'For' indicates the duration of time that something lasts or how long it has been happening."

Understanding "Since" (06:10 - 08:14)

"Since" is introduced as the preposition that refers to the starting point of an action that continues to the present moment. It must be followed by a specific time, such as a day, date, or year.

Examples Provided:

• "We've been trying to figure this out since 2 AM."
• "He hasn't called me since Tuesday."
• "I haven't gone on a hike since March 4th."
• "They've known each other since 2004."

The hosts also caution against confusing "since" with "because," noting that "since" can function as a conjunction similar to "because", changing its role in a sentence.

Notable Quote:
Aubrey Carter [07:01]: "'Since' is used with a specific date or time, such as 'since March 4th.'"

Exploring "During" (08:14 - 09:03)

"During" is explained as specifying when something happens within a particular time frame or event. It typically precedes a noun that represents an event or period.

Examples Provided:

• "She got a phone call during class."
• "We visited as many museums as possible during our vacation."

The hosts highlight the grammatical structure, noting that "during" often starts an introductory adverbial clause, which should be followed by a comma.

Notable Quote:
Aubrey Carter [08:23]: "'During' specifies when something happens within a time frame or event, like 'during class.'"

Interactive Role Play: Applying the Prepositions (10:48 - 13:34)

To reinforce the lesson, Lindsey and Aubrey engage in a role play scenario where they incorporate the prepositions for, since, and during. This practical application helps listeners understand how to use these prepositions naturally within conversations.

Role Play Highlights:

• Lindsey: "When did you move in?"
• Aubrey: "We've been here for about a month."
• Lindsey: "We didn't want to move during the school year."
• Aubrey: "We had lived in Chicago since 2002."

Notable Quote:
Aubrey Carter [12:21]: "'We haven't moved for over 20 years." This emphasizes the use of "for" in indicating a duration.

Addressing Verb Tenses and Prepositions (13:40 - 14:48)

The conversation shifts to the interplay between verb tenses and preposition choice. Aubrey points out that incorrect preposition usage often accompanies improper verb tenses, leading to confusion. They discuss the importance of aligning verb tenses with prepositions to convey the correct temporal relationships.

Notable Quote:
Aubrey Carter [14:26]: "It's important not to translate directly from your first language, as it can cause mistakes with preposition choice and verb tenses."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts (14:48 - 14:50)

Aubrey and Lindsey wrap up the episode by emphasizing the significance of understanding prepositions in context rather than relying on direct translations. They announce a follow-up Part 2 to further explore verb tenses and preposition usage, encouraging listeners to submit questions and stay tuned.

Notable Quote:
Aubrey Carter [14:26]: "Instead of translating, be observant of the language as you take it in so you know how to replicate it."

Key Takeaways

• "For" is used to express the duration of an action or state (e.g., "for two hours").
• "Since" denotes the starting point of an action that continues to the present (e.g., "since Monday").
• "During" specifies when something happens within a particular time frame or event (e.g., "during the meeting").
• Avoid translating prepositions directly from your native language; instead, learn their usage through contextual examples.
• Proper alignment of verb tenses with prepositions is crucial for conveying accurate temporal relationships.

Additional Resources:

• Business English Podcast: For those interested in applying these grammar rules in a business context, the hosts recommend tuning into their separate Business English podcast.
• Previous Episodes: Listeners intrigued by the discussion on dating and culture can revisit Episode 2372 for more insights.

Join the Community:
To enhance your English learning journey, subscribe to the All Ears English Podcast and become part of a community focused on connection, not perfection.

This summary is based on Episode 2376 of the All Ears English Podcast and aims to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not yet listened.