during

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during: at some point or points inside a period, event, or activity.

During is followed by a noun phrase: during the meeting / during summer.
It means 'inside that period', not the starting point or ending point.
If you need a full clause, English usually prefers while: while I was sleeping.

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Examples

Time examples

She learned a lot during her internship.

The lights went out during dinner.

Traffic is heavy during the morning rush.

Related prepositions

over

above and across; during a period; more than a number

throughout

throughout; spread in the whole area

after

later than; following in time

since

since: marks a time starting point, and sometimes the reason a judgment starts from.

Key differences

During places something inside a time period or event. Learners often confuse it with for (length of time) and while (a clause-based connector).

for

For focuses on duration length (for two hours). During focuses on what happened inside a named period or event.

forWe talked for two hours.

duringWe talked during the break.

while

While is followed by a clause. During is followed by a noun phrase.

whileWhile I was driving, it started to rain.

duringIt started to rain during the drive.

Quick check questions (decision tree)

Is it touching a surface?
Touching -> often on; if this page is not on, use the closest surface/contact preposition.
Is it inside a container or boundary?
Inside -> more likely for; if not inside, check position/distance/covering.
Is it above without contact, or below/covered?
Above without contact -> lean toward while; below/covered -> under/beneath/underneath.

Common collocations

Events and activities

during the meeting

during the exam

during dinner

during the trip

during the lesson

during the interview

Periods of time

during the summer

during the holidays

during the night

during the weekend

during the week

during the first month

Useful patterns

happened during the break

changed during the process

improved during treatment

fell asleep during the movie

spoke during the discussion

was injured during training

Common mistakes

Avoid: I met him during two hours.

Use: I met him for two hours. / I met him during the meeting.

Reason: During does not measure length by itself. It needs a named period or event.

Avoid: During I was sleeping, the phone rang.

Use: While I was sleeping, the phone rang.

Reason: During is followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause.

Avoid: We stayed there during Friday to Sunday.

Use: We stayed there from Friday to Sunday.

Reason: Use from ... to ... for a range with both start and end points. During is for being inside one period or event.

Mini quiz

Question 1

No talking is allowed ___ the exam.

Choose an answer

Question 2

We stayed in Paris ___ three days.

Choose an answer

Question 3

___ I was cooking, the lights went out.

Choose an answer

Quick FAQ

What is the core idea of during?+

It places something inside a period, event, or activity.

What comes after during?+

A noun phrase: during the trip, during class, during summer, during the storm.

What is the difference between during and for?+

During focuses on being inside a named period. For focuses on how long something lasted.

What is the difference between during and while?+

During is followed by a noun phrase. While is followed by a clause.

Can during be used with seasons, meals, or meetings?+

Yes. These are exactly the kinds of periods and events that work well with during.