during the time that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the time that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time during which something else is happening. For example: "During the time that I was away on vacation, a new restaurant opened in my neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I mean during the time that these deposits were being made in the Reichsbank.

Yale University

America lost eight wars during the time that trans people were allowed to serve.

The New Yorker

And it had some cachet during the time that he wrote it.

Harvard Business Review

THE PRESIDENT: Were there any Einsatzkommandos in the Katyn area during the time that you were there?

Yale University

We can only fund them during the time that they are doing either class work or informatics research or both.

Stanford University

The researchers called such behavior "excessive and intrusive to children during the time that they are recovering from their illness".

The New York Times - Health

She said she was hearing the voices during the time that Mr. Arthur made his reported confession.

The New York Times

He became av-bet-din ("presiding justice") of the Great Sanhedrin during the time that Hillel was nasi (president).

Britannica

It was during the time that we really cultivated and developed what I consider to be our core values today.

The New York Times

Trading volume surged during the time that Mr. Icahn was being interviewed at midday Friday on CNBC.

The New York Times

The accountant needs to know how much the actual payroll was during the time that the restaurant was closed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using shorter alternatives like "while" or "when" for conciseness, especially in informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "during the time that" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "while" or "as" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the time that" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a temporal clause, indicating when an event or action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

31%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the time that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for specifying when an event takes place. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in various writing contexts, with a preference for conciseness in informal settings. The phrase appears commonly in academic, news media, and scientific sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "while" and "when" offer brevity, "during the time that" provides clarity when a more explicit temporal connection is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while

A more concise and common alternative. It implies simultaneity but is shorter.

whilst

A more formal synonym for "while", suitable for academic or formal writing.

as

A brief alternative that suggests simultaneity or causality.

when

Indicates a point in time during which something happened or existed.

throughout the period that

More emphatic, highlighting the entire duration of the specified period.

in the period that

Similar to "during the time that" but slightly less verbose.

in the course of

Indicates that something happened as part of a process or event.

over the duration that

Emphasizes the length of the time period.

for the time that

Indicates the length of a specific timeframe.

spanning the interval that

Focuses on the interval of time between two points.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "during the time that"?

You can use alternatives like "while", "when", or "as" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "during the time"?

While grammatically correct, including "that" is optional and often omitted in modern usage for conciseness. Saying just "during the time" is also acceptable.

How can I make my writing sound more formal than using "during the time that"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "throughout the period that" or "whilst", although the latter may sound archaic.

Can "during the time that" be used to describe past, present, and future events?

Yes, "during the time that" can be used across all tenses, as long as the surrounding verb tenses are appropriate to the context of the event being described.