during school hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during school hours" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It indicates the specific time period when school is in session. Example: "Students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We expect students to be in school during school hours".

The New York Times

This shoot-out took place during school hours.

The New Yorker

speed limit for her block during school hours.

The New York Times

I was riding largely during school hours; I saw almost no children.

The New York Times

According to the suit, the rally during school hours was far from an isolated event.

The New York Times

The blocks of jazz selections played during school hours are assembled and automated before broadcast.

The New York Times

Even students granted the exemption, however, are not allowed to carry their phones during school hours.

The New York Times

Renee Sweet, who comes in during school hours to help with clerical work, favors dredging.

The New York Times

And one other thing: No working on the posters during school hours.

The New York Times

"We're not aware of any recruitment during school hours," she said.

The New York Times

Students would get to the media center from an inside doorway during school hours.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, "during school hours" is appropriate. For formal contexts, consider "during the academic day" or "while school is in session" to convey a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "during school hours" when referring to events after the regular schedule, such as extracurricular activities or after-school programs. Instead, use "after school" or specify the exact time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during school hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the time frame in which an action occurs. It indicates when something takes place within the school's operational schedule. Ludwig examples shows how to use this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during school hours" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the time when school is in session. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its primary function is to specify the timing of events within the school day, and it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While "during school hours" is generally appropriate, consider using more formal alternatives like "during the academic day" in professional settings. Avoiding ambiguity with school events is also important, particularly when discussing activities outside the regular schedule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in school time

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning, reducing formality.

while school is in session

More descriptive, focusing on the state of the school being active.

during the academic day

More formal and emphasizes the educational aspect.

within school's operating time

Highlights the operational aspect of the school's schedule.

when classes are being held

Specifically refers to the time when instruction is taking place.

during teaching periods

Focuses on the specific times when teaching occurs.

throughout the school day

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the timeframe.

in the course of the school day

More verbose but conveys the same timeframe.

inside the school timetable

Relates to the structured schedule of the school.

during the hours of instruction

Highlights the instructional aspect of the school day.

FAQs

What does "during school hours" mean?

"During school hours" refers to the period when school is in session, typically from the start of the first class to the end of the last class of the day.

How can I use "during school hours" in a sentence?

You can use "during school hours" to specify when an activity is restricted or permitted. For example, "Students are not allowed to use cell phones "during school hours"".

What's a more formal way to say "during school hours"?

Alternatives include "during the academic day" or "while school is in session". For example, "Participation is voluntary "during the academic day"".

Is it correct to say "in school hours" instead of "during school hours"?

While understandable, "during school hours" is the more standard and grammatically correct way to express this timeframe. "In school hours" is less common and can sound awkward to native English speakers.