in between school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in between school" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used informally to describe a time or situation that occurs during a break or gap related to school, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "I like to read books in between school sessions to keep my mind active."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The engagingly puerile, brilliantly plausible sitcom about four sixth-formers ("in between" school and adulthood) has sold more than 1.5m DVDs and finished its last series with an E4 record of 3 million viewers.

The Guardian - Film

"I'd often manage just three hours a day of work, in between school runs and meals," she recalls.

The Guardian - Books

Ben and Jenna fed and watered the animals twice a day, hauling 50-pound bags of feed and wading through mud or freezing slop, in between school and a raft of extracurriculars (each plays three sports).

The New York Times - Travel

I dip into i in between school runs, serving dinner, waiting at ballet and swimming classes and, more importantly, when I am taking my five minutes of peace time.

Independent

And I suspect it's taking place in Bowie's New York art studio, with sculptures and paintings and mini-installations that he's been working on in between school runs and wandering the streets of Manhattan like a less flamboyant but no less loved Quentin Crisp.

The Guardian - Music

A peak in June reflects the fact that many people want to move in between school years.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Ms. Beach is "in-between schools" and got pinned between the balloon and a fence one of the first times she assisted in the landing.

The New York Times

Figure 1 graphically depicts the change in between-school variance with the sequential addition of individual, school, and neighborhood level correlates and risk factors for asthma.

Plosone

A sample size of approximately 40 schools would be expected to have 80% statistical power to detect a mean difference between intervention and control groups of about one standard deviation in between-school variation.

BMC Oral Health

School grades in economics/business/accounting lie between school grades in mathematics and German.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

It highlights setting of pupils and differences in quality between school as potential problem areas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, consider using more specific alternatives such as "during school breaks" or "between classes".

Common error

Using "in between school" can sometimes be vague. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to breaks during the day, gaps between academic years, or something else entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in between school" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun by indicating a time or interval associated with school activities. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's often used informally to describe events occurring during breaks or gaps related to school.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in between school" is identified by Ludwig as a non-standard yet understandable prepositional phrase, commonly used to denote time intervals associated with school activities. While generally acceptable in informal contexts, it lacks the precision preferred in formal writing. Analysis of example sentences reveals it is frequently found in "News & Media" sources and its register is generally considered neutral to informal. The expert rating considers both grammatical acceptability and source authority, suggesting that while widely used and understood, writers should consider more precise alternatives like "during school breaks" or "between classes" for clarity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during school breaks

Focuses specifically on scheduled breaks during the school day or term.

between classes

Highlights the time separating individual class periods.

during school intervals

Emphasizes brief periods or pauses in the school day.

in the school interlude

Implies a temporary cessation of normal school activities.

amidst school activities

Suggests an action taking place concurrently with educational endeavors.

in the midst of schooling

Highlights being engaged in education when something occurs.

while at school

Focuses on activities during school attendance.

during the academic year

Refers to activities happening throughout the school year.

during the school term

Specifies activities within a particular academic term.

on school days

Emphasizes routine occurrences during regular school days.

FAQs

What does "in between school" mean?

The phrase "in between school" generally refers to time or activities occurring during breaks or gaps within the school day or academic year. However, it's not standard written English.

Are there more precise alternatives to "in between school"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use phrases like "during "school breaks"", "between classes", or "during the "academic year"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "in between school"?

While commonly understood, "in between school" is not considered standard formal English. More precise and grammatically conventional alternatives are preferable in formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "in between school"?

It's acceptable in informal conversation or writing where clarity isn't paramount. In formal settings, opt for alternatives like "during "school breaks"" or "between classes" for better precision.