during

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'during' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time when something was happening, for example: My family and I had a wonderful vacation together during the summer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

She remembered "skiving off" with Kennedy during a trip to Australia in the mid-90s to watch the film Trainspotting.

The Guardian

Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.

The Guardian

"This was during a period of high intensity, with an unprecedented number of arrivals and an increased number of people presenting with a range of significant, complex medical conditions".

The Guardian

All presidential and parliamentary elections held during the independence era have been deemed flawed by independent western monitoring groups.

The Guardian

Security alerts involving improvised explosive devices have become almost a weekly occurence in Derry during the past few months as dissident republicans step up their armed actions in the city.

The Guardian

"Let me assure you that my government is committed to working closely with you and your government during your tenure and most importantly, in pursuit of our bilateral relations.

The Guardian

Nobody has a bigger interest in getting them released than I do," Clinton told reporters during a campaign stop in Iowa.

The Guardian

Yet that wasn't what we saw on the conference floor during the debate on the economy on Monday.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during", ensure the time period is clearly defined. For instance, instead of "during the event", specify "during the conference" or "during the summer months" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "during" to refer to an action that happens at a specific point in time. It's more appropriate to say "at" or "on". For example, instead of "during 3 PM", use "at 3 PM".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "during" is to serve as a preposition, indicating that something occurs within a specific timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted, as demonstrated through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during" functions as a versatile and grammatically sound preposition used to specify the timing of events within a particular period. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various contexts, notably in news and media. To use "during" effectively, ensure the timeframe is clear and avoid using it for specific points in time. Alternatives such as "throughout" or "in the course of" can provide subtle differences in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "during" into your writing and speech. Ludwig's examples offer further real-world context and solidify its proper application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout

Implies continuity or persistence across the entire duration of the period.

while

Indicates simultaneity, actions happening at the same time.

in the course of

Suggests a process or unfolding of events over the specified period.

as

Similar to 'while', denoting something happening concurrently.

over the period of

Emphasizes the extent or span of time involved.

within

Highlights that something happens inside the boundaries of the period.

in the time of

Refers to a specific era or period with particular characteristics.

in the middle of

Suggests that an action occurs specifically at the center of a timeframe.

in

Used for a specific point in time within a larger period.

spanning

Focuses on the period's reach or coverage across time.

FAQs

How is "during" different from "while"?

"During" is a preposition that specifies an event happened inside a time frame, example "during the summer", while "while" is a conjunction that connects two simultaneous events, example "While I was walking, I saw a bird".

Can I use "in" instead of "during"?

Using "in" instead of "during" can change the meaning. "In" refers to a point within a period, whereas "during" refers to the entire period. For example, "I lived with my parents in the 1980s" means at some point, but "I lived with my parents "during the 1980s"" means for the entire decade.

What prepositions are similar to "during"?

Prepositions similar to "during" include "throughout", "in the course of", and "over the period of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "during when"?

No, using "during when" is redundant. "During" already implies a time period, so "when" is unnecessary. Simply use "during" followed by the time period.