during christmas

USAGE SUMMARY

"during Christmas" is correct and usable in written English.
It's typically used to indicate the time period surrounding Christmas, usually spanning from a few days before Christmas up to a few days after. For example: "We usually go out of town during Christmas to visit family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The snow looks beautiful during Christmas.

The New York Times

Its population increases greatly during Christmas holidays.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Things get crazy during Christmas".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And a crisis hit during Christmas break.

The New York Times

(They continued working on it during Christmas vacation last year).

The New York Times

That experiment has become a custom during Christmas season.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

She went during Christmas 1986.

The Guardian

He twinkles like Regent Street during Christmas week.

Independent

Even during Christmas week, few cars were on the road.

The New York Times

"Last year, I got a call from someone during Christmas week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But during Christmas of 1985, an unexpected threat changed everything.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during Christmas", ensure the context clearly indicates the period you're referring to. This might be the days leading up to Christmas, Christmas Day itself, or the days immediately following it. For clarity, consider specifying "during the Christmas season" or "during Christmas week" if the broader timeframe is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "during Christmas" when referring to a specific event on Christmas Day. Instead, use "on Christmas Day" or "at Christmas" for greater accuracy. For example, say "The gift was given on Christmas Day", not "The gift was given during Christmas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during Christmas" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the time frame in which an action or state occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and acceptable way to denote the Christmas period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

HuffPost

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during Christmas" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the period surrounding Christmas, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a prepositional phrase, setting the temporal context for various actions and situations. While the phrase itself is register-neutral, according to Ludwig's examples, it often appears in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts. To maintain clarity, it's best used to describe events within the broader Christmas season, reserving "on Christmas Day" for occurrences specific to December 25th. Consider alternatives like "over the Christmas period" or "throughout the Christmas season" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the Christmas period

Replaces 'during' with 'over', emphasizing a span of time.

throughout the Christmas season

Uses 'throughout' and 'season' to highlight the entire festive period.

at Christmastime

Combines 'Christmas' and 'time' into a single word, creating a slightly more informal tone.

in the Christmas season

Focuses on the broader festive season rather than a specific event.

on Christmas Day

Specifies the exact day of Christmas, rather than the period around it.

around the yuletide season

Uses 'yuletide' as a synonym for Christmas, adding a slightly archaic or festive feel.

in the holiday season

Broadens the scope to include all holidays around Christmas, not just Christmas itself.

during the festive period

Highlights the celebratory nature of the Christmas season.

leading up to Christmas

Emphasizes the time before Christmas, focusing on the anticipation.

in the run-up to Christmas

Similar to 'leading up to Christmas', highlighting the preparatory period.

FAQs

How can I use "during Christmas" in a sentence?

You can use "during Christmas" to refer to events or situations that occur within the Christmas period. For example: "Many stores offer extended hours "during Christmas"". You can also say "Many stores offer extended hours during the Christmas season".

What's the difference between "during Christmas" and "on Christmas Day"?

"During Christmas" refers to the general period around Christmas, including the days before and after December 25th. "On Christmas Day" is specific to December 25th itself.

What can I say instead of "during Christmas"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "over the Christmas period", "throughout the Christmas season", or "at Christmastime".

Is it correct to say "in Christmas" instead of "during Christmas"?

No, "in Christmas" is not a standard or grammatically correct way to refer to the Christmas period. The correct and idiomatic expression is "during Christmas".