during recess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'during recess' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the period between classes (the break time), or when talking about any time of rest or pause. Example sentence: I always look forward to the conversations I have with my friends during recess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

During school, we'd practice during recess.

The New York Times

They herded children during recess at an elementary school nearby.

The New Yorker

In third grade, we played dodgeball during recess.

The New Yorker

"We played together during recess, stuff like that".

The Guardian - Sport

It was where I would hide during recess.

The New Yorker

"Houston is home," Jeffrey said during recess, in English.

The New York Times

The students play volleyball on the dirt outside during recess.

The New York Times

It evokes a time when passes were drawn in the dirt after school or during recess.

The New York Times - Sports

* Best thing that happened the other day: We were walking by a school playground, during recess.

The New York Times

That picture got passed around a lot during recess on the high school oval.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When I phoned David Cameron's MPs for chats during recess, they answered from boats and beaches.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during recess" in academic writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the specific break period within the school day. Be mindful of regional variations in terminology; some areas may use "break time" or other local equivalents.

Common error

Avoid using "during recess" to describe any break period outside of a structured school day. For general breaks or pauses, alternatives like "during the break" or "during downtime" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during recess" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify when an action or event occurs. Ludwig provides examples from diverse sources illustrating its role in setting a temporal context within a school setting or similar structured break.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during recess" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that specifies the timing of an event within a school break or similar structured pause. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Ludwig AI confirms that "during recess" is correct and usable in written English. When using the phrase, writers should be mindful of the specific context and scope of recess, avoiding its application to general break periods outside of the structured school environment. Alternative phrases like "at break time" or "during the break" can provide greater clarity in certain scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the break

This alternative is a more general way to refer to a pause or rest period, like "recess".

in between classes

This alternative is most suitable for academic contexts, specifically indicating time between classes, as in "recess".

on a school break

This phrase specifies a pause in academic studies for leisure, as typically happens "during recess".

at break time

This alternative specifies a time, similar to a scheduled "recess".

at playtime

This alternative directly refers to the time for games, similar to the activities "during recess".

in the interval

This option suggests an activity happening during a pause or break between events, similar to "recess".

during free time

This implies any time that is not scheduled, similar to choosing activities "during recess".

in the recreation period

This expresses an activity occurring during the allotted time for relaxation and entertainment, like "recess".

in the rest period

This option describes the time when resting from school-related activities is possible, like "recess".

while taking a break

This describes the action of pausing from activity to do something else, similar to "recess".

FAQs

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

You can use "during recess" to describe activities that happen during a break in school. For example, "The students played soccer "during recess"." or "She often reads a book "during recess" to relax."

What can I say instead of "during recess"?

You can use alternatives like "at break time", "in the interval", or "during the break" depending on the specific context.

Is "during recess" formal or informal?

"During recess" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in discussions related to school or structured activities. In a more casual setting, you might use simpler terms like "during the break".

Which is correct, "during recess" or "at recess"?

"During recess" is more common and grammatically preferred because it describes an activity happening within the period of recess. "At recess" is less frequent but still understandable, suggesting a location or point in time, though less precise.