During

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'during' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'during' when referring to a period of time, often when something else is happening. For example, "During the summer months, the temperature rises significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"During this depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that, for just 15 cents, an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," Franklin D Roosevelt stated in 1935, referring to the world's biggest and littlest star.

The Guardian - Film

During the subsequent eight years, the question of what sort of music it is appropriate for an Idol winner to record and release has been front and centre of Clarkson's career.

The Guardian - Music

During a "showdown" with presenter Alex Brooker, who deployed a "bullshit buzzer" when he was unhappy with the quality of the Liberal Democrat leader's answers, Clegg faced a barrage of tricky questions.

The Guardian

During the hearing, it emerged that neither HMRC, the Treasury or the UK bank regulators appear to have questioned why HSBC's Swiss subsidiary had become a magnet for thousands of rich people across Europe and whether there was any systemic problem in the bank's governance.

The Guardian

During evidence on the behaviour of nuns from the Sisters of Nazareth order at two Catholic church-run children's homes in Derry, the inquiry heard that children were beaten for bedwetting and had soiled sheets placed on their heads to humiliate them.

The Guardian

During a recent visit, the Guardian was shown new accommodation and facilities that certainly seemed an improvement.

The Guardian

During a recent trip to South Africa, as a finalist in the Guardian International Development Journalism competition, I realised my disfigurement could have been a potential barrier when interviewing case studies in the townships; I had to make the interviewees feel comfortable looking at my face.

The Guardian

During a speech at a Republican summit in New Hampshire on Saturday, Paul dinged Clinton as needing two campaign planes – "one for her and her entourage, and one for her baggage".

The Guardian

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

But during the Games I got the terrible news that my uncle had died, probably from Ebola.

The Guardian

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "It is extremely disappointing that Network Rail's engineering works have overrun and will affect travellers during this festive season, passengers will be rightly annoyed.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "During", ensure that the time period you are referring to is clearly defined and relevant to the event you are describing. For instance, instead of saying "Accidents happen during", specify "Accidents happen during rush hour".

Common error

Avoid using "during" to refer to a single, specific point in time. "During 3 PM" is incorrect; instead, use "at 3 PM" or "on March 3, 2025". "During" is better suited for periods of time like "the meeting" or "the summer".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "During" is as a preposition. It introduces a prepositional phrase that specifies the time period in which an action or event occurs. According to Ludwig, the word is used in real English sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "During" is a preposition used to specify the time frame when an event occurs. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts such as news, business, and scientific writing. When using "During", ensure the temporal context is clearly established. Alternatives like "throughout" or "while" can sometimes be used, depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. However, avoid using "During" to refer to a precise moment in time as it’s more suitable for a period. Based on numerous real-world examples, Ludwig confirms its validity and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Throughout

Emphasizes the continuity of something happening across an entire period.

In the course of

Highlights the progression of events as they unfold over time.

While

Suggests simultaneity, with two events happening at the same time.

In the time of

Focuses on a specific era or period in history.

Over the period of

Emphasizes the duration of the time frame.

Within the timeframe of

Highlights that events occurred inside predefined period.

In the midst of

Suggests that something happens in the middle of an ongoing situation.

As

This is a shorter, less formal way to indicate simultaneity.

Spanning

Indicates something extends across a certain time.

Concurrent with

Implies that two or more things happen or exist at the same time.

FAQs

How do I use "During" in a sentence?

"During" is used to indicate when something happens within a specific period of time. For example, "I studied hard "during the exam"" or "She traveled "during the summer"".

What can I say instead of "During"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "throughout", "while", or "in the course of" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "During" or "While"?

Both "During" and "While" can indicate that events happen within a period, but "During" emphasizes the timeframe, whereas "While" focuses on simultaneous actions. For example, "During the movie, I ate popcorn" versus "While watching the movie, I ate popcorn."

What's the difference between "During" and "In" when referring to time?

"During" indicates that an event occurs at some point within a specified period, while "In" can refer to a point in time or a general period. You might say, "During the meeting, we discussed the budget", but also "In 2024, we launched a new project".