during which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific period of time. For example, "She worked at the company for two years, during which she made great strides in her profession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A pause, during which Freddy laughs loudly).

The New Yorker

during which Richard judges baseball to be better than cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

A brief pause, during which I absorbed this exciting information.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Years go by, during which she raises their son.

The New Yorker

European settlers & the Arabs during which 122 persons were killed.

The New Yorker

A waiting period ensued, during which objections could be raised.

The New York Times

"They had around five minutes together during which they hugged".

The Guardian

The hospital received a reprieve during which time the "Comm.

The New Yorker

— a brief period during which Jasper molested Oliver.

The New York Times

The climb symbolized the protest during which it happened.

The New York Times

The era during which your nation's main footballer is the same age as you, therefore, is the era during which you own your culture.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during which" to clearly link an event or action to a specific timeframe. It helps create a smooth flow in your writing by connecting clauses effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "during which" in very simple sentences where a simpler word like "while" or "as" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during which" functions as a relative adverb, introducing a relative clause that modifies a preceding noun phrase referring to a period of time. It specifies when an event or action occurred in relation to that time period, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during which" is a versatile phrase used to connect events to a specific period, functioning as a relative adverb. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts, indicating a formal to neutral tone. For simpler sentences, consider using alternatives like "while" or "in which". Remember that "during which" is typically preceded by a comma, setting off a nonrestrictive clause. Keep in mind that you may encounter different use cases depending on the industry in which you're working.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in which

Omits the word "during", making it a more concise option.

while

Represents a shorter, more direct way to indicate simultaneous events.

through which

Emphasizes a process or progression occurring across the time period.

throughout which

Highlights that the action spans the entirety of the specified period.

in the course of which

A more formal and elaborate way of saying "during which".

over which

Suggests examining a period of time.

at which time

Replaces "during which" with a more specific indication of time.

as

Provides a simple temporal conjunction to indicate when something happens.

for the duration of which

Highlights the continuous nature of an event within a specific timeframe.

while that happened

Uses a more conversational tone to indicate simultaneity.

FAQs

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

Use "during which" to connect two clauses, indicating that one event occurred within the timeframe of another. For example, "The meeting lasted two hours, during which several key decisions were made."

What are some alternatives to "during which"?

Alternatives include "while", "in which", or "throughout which". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "during which"?

Yes, generally you should place a comma before "during which" when it introduces a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clause. This means the clause provides extra information but isn't crucial to the sentence's core meaning.

What is the difference between "during which" and "when"?

"During which" is typically used to refer to a period of time, while "when" can refer to a specific moment or a general time. For example, "During the summer, we travel" versus "I'll call you when I arrive."