during the interval

USAGE SUMMARY

"during the interval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time period between two events or points in time. For example: "The performance was paused during the interval so that the audience could take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I confess, I turned my phone on during the interval.

The Guardian

Surrey are now safe and may declare during the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Some are trivial: What do actors do during the interval?

The Guardian - Arts

Their supporters had whistled the big-screen replays of Welbeck's kick during the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

He chatted her up during the interval, and they married in 1945.

The Guardian

But there was no talk and seemingly no hope of anything so fanciful during the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Wanyama's replacement by Steven Davis during the interval made little difference.

The Guardian - Sport

Both can be visited before the 7.30pm shows, and during the interval.

The Guardian - Travel

Or if they didn't get fed like monarchs during the interval.

The Guardian

It was ironed during the interval, and there was a notable change when the players returned.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is Old Trafford, by the way," the announcer said between spinning records during the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the interval" to clearly indicate that an action or event takes place within a specific, designated break period, especially in contexts like performances, sports, or meetings.

Common error

Avoid using "interlude" interchangeably with "interval". "Interlude" refers to an intervening period or space, often of a different nature, while "interval" typically denotes a scheduled break within an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the interval" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying when something happens. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the interval" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something occurs within a designated break period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, understanding its function and potential for confusion with similar terms like "interlude" will help you to use it effectively. Be sure to consider the specific context when choosing between "during the interval" and alternative phrases such as "in the intermission" or "during the break".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the intermission

Uses "intermission" instead of "interval", a synonym with a similar connotation.

during the break

Replaces "interval" with the more general term "break".

during the respite

Substitutes "interval" with "respite", emphasizing a period of rest or relief.

while on break

Highlights the action happening concurrently with the state of being on a break.

in the meantime

Focuses on the time period occurring between two events without specifically mentioning a formal break.

in the pause

Emphasizes the momentary cessation of activity.

during the lull

Suggests a temporary period of calm or quiet.

in the short term

Refers to a brief period of time, not necessarily a scheduled break.

for a while

Indicates a non-specific duration of time.

temporarily

An adverb describing something done for a limited time.

FAQs

How can I use "during the interval" in a sentence?

You can use "during the interval" to specify when something occurs within a break. For instance, "They served refreshments during the interval" or "The team discussed strategy during the interval".

What's a formal alternative to "during the interval"?

In more formal settings, consider using "during the intermission" or "during the recess". Both phrases maintain a professional tone while referring to a break period.

What can I say instead of "during the interval" in a sports context?

In sports, you could say "during halftime", "at the half", or "during the break" to describe events that happen during the intermission.

Is there a difference between using "during the interval" and "after the interval began"?

"During the interval" indicates an action happening at any point within the break, while "after the interval began" specifies an action occurring at some point following the start of the break. The choice depends on the desired level of specificity.