During the break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "During the break" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to a specific time period when a pause or interruption occurs, often in contexts like school, work, or events. Example: "We can discuss the project further during the break." Alternative expressions include "In the break" and "Over the break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During the break, I took a walk around the grounds.

The New York Times - Travel

During the break, I asked him what he was after.

The New Yorker

During the break, I can't eat or drink".

The New York Times

During the break, he approached the Grosmaires in the hallway.

The New York Times - Magazine

During the break, Cutler's left knee was examined and treated.

The New York Times - Sports

During the break a stream of people came up to him.

The New York Times - Arts

During the break Ms. Stefani made hits as a solo act and had children.

The New York Times - Arts

During the break, a crowd of Britons came out into the afternoon sun for a cigarette.

The New York Times

During the break, a man in a blue worker's uniform came over and studied the cage.

The New Yorker

"During the break, a big guy came out with a gun," he said.

Independent

During the break for lunch, he and Mr. Hyatt dined at a nearby Wendy's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve "During the break" for periods with a defined start and end, such as lunch hours, school holidays, or theater intermissions

Common error

Avoid using "at the break" when you intend to describe an action occurring throughout the interval. Use "During the break" to denote duration, whereas "at the break" typically refers to the specific moment the break begins (e.g., the halftime whistle in sports).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "During the break" functions as a temporal adverbial modifier. It sets the time frame for the main clause. According to Ludwig AI, it typically introduces a sentence to provide context for subsequent actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Professional

8%

Sports

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "During the break" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to signal an interval. Analysis by Ludwig AI reveals that it is ubiquitous across diverse fields, from reporting on political recesses in The New York Times to describing experimental pauses in scientific journals. It is most frequently used as an introductory element to provide temporal context. Writers should feel confident using this phrase in almost any setting, though they might consider synonyms like "during the intermission" for specific artistic contexts or "during the recess" for official proceedings to add precision to their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

During the intermission

Suggests a formal break between parts of a performance or event

Over the break

Implies the duration of the break and is very common in casual or academic settings

In the interval

A British English preference for a pause in events or theater

During the recess

Often used in legislative, legal, or educational contexts

While on break

Shifts focus slightly more toward the state of the person during the pause

During the adjournment

Specific to formal meetings or court proceedings

During the stoppage

Used frequently in sports or industrial contexts

Throughout the hiatus

Suggests a longer, more significant gap in activity

In the downtime

Common in professional and technical environments to describe unproductive periods

Mid-break

A more concise way to describe the midpoint of the interval

FAQs

How do I use "During the break" in a sentence?

You can use "During the break" to describe an action that happened within a pause. For example, "During the break he checked his emails".

What is the difference between "During the break" and "In the break"?

While both are used, "During the break" is generally more common in American English, whereas "in the break" is frequently found in British English contexts.

What can I say instead of "During the break" for a formal performance?

In formal settings like theater or opera, you should use "during the intermission" or "in the interval".

Does "During the break" require a comma?

When it appears at the start of a sentence as an introductory phrase, it is best practice to follow it with a comma to improve readability, as seen in many Ludwig examples.