during the war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'during the war' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
For example, "The children were evacuated from London during the war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

shows during the war.

The New York Times

Teal was a pilot during the war.

The New Yorker

What did you do during the war?

The New Yorker

Served in the Navy during the war.

The New Yorker

Lae was completely destroyed during the war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He fled France during the war.

The New Yorker

They met in Vietnam during the war.

The New York Times

He came close once, during the war.

The New York Times

Ireland was neutral during the war.

The New York Times

But that was during the war.

The New Yorker

That was during the war.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the war", ensure the specific war is clear from the context or explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "during the Vietnam War" or "during World War II".

Common error

Avoid assuming "during the war" always refers to a specific major conflict like World War II. If the context doesn't clearly define which war is being referenced, provide specific details to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the war" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating when something occurred. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it used to specify the timing of events, actions, or conditions related to a war.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during the war" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a period within an armed conflict. According to Ludwig, the phrase is indeed correct. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias, reflecting its neutrality and broad applicability. While simple, it's essential to provide context to avoid ambiguity about which war is referenced. Alternatives like "in wartime" or "amid the conflict" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Therefore, clarity and context are key when employing the phrase "during the war" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in wartime

Replaces the preposition "during" with "in" and simplifies the phrase to a single word, focusing on the time period of war.

while the war was ongoing

Expands the phrase into a clause, emphasizing the continuous nature of the war as the context.

throughout the war

Replaces "during" with "throughout", highlighting the entire duration of the war.

in the course of the war

Uses a more formal and elaborate structure, emphasizing the progression of events within the war.

amid the conflict

Substitutes "war" with the more general term "conflict", broadening the scope to include various types of armed struggles.

at the time of war

Focuses on a specific point in time coinciding with the war period, rather than the entire duration.

under the conditions of war

Emphasizes the circumstances and environment created by the war, rather than the specific timing.

within the period of war

A more descriptive and somewhat redundant way of expressing the time frame of the war.

during wartime operations

Narrows the focus to specific military actions or activities that occur during the war.

whilst the war raged

Uses a more literary and evocative expression, emphasizing the intensity and unrestrained nature of the war.

FAQs

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

You can use "during the war" to specify when an event occurred within a period of armed conflict. For example, "Many technological advancements were made "during the war"".

What are some alternatives to saying "during the war"?

Alternatives include "in wartime", "throughout the war", or "amid the conflict", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "during the war" or "in the war"?

"During the war" typically refers to a period of time within the war, while "in the war" often refers to involvement or participation. The choice depends on the intended meaning; for example, "He served "in the war"", versus, "Supplies were scarce "during the war"".

Which war is implied if I just say "during the war"?

Without additional context, "the war" can be ambiguous. It's best to specify the war, such as "during World War II" or "during the Vietnam War", for clarity.