during

during — preposition

1. for the entire length of an event or period of time, without stopping or pausing

1.prepositionA1
Definition

for the entire length of an event or period of time, without stopping or pausing

Example

The library stays open during the summer holidays.

Minh's family stayed at the mountain cabin during the winter.

during + noun phrase for whole-period events

Common collocations
  • during the whole [event/period]
  • during the entire [event/period]
  • stay/remain + during
Synonyms
  • throughout

    stronger emphasis on covering every part of the period; more formal

  • through

    more informal; often used in American English for time periods ('worked through the night')

Grammar Patterns

during + noun phrase

Common Mistakes

During I was on holiday, I read many books.
While I was on holiday, I read many books.' or 'During my holiday, I read many books.
'during' is a preposition and needs a noun phrase after it, not a clause with a subject and verb.
The baby slept during the night long.
The baby slept through the night.' or 'The baby slept during the night.
'during' already covers the whole period; adding 'long' is redundant.

2. at a moment that falls within an event or period of time, without specifying exa

2.prepositionA1
Definition

at a moment that falls within an event or period of time, without specifying exactly when

Example

Olivia received a text message during the conference.

during + event noun for a single occurrence within

The fire alarm went off during the final exam.

Common collocations
  • happen/occur + during
  • receive + during
  • during + [event noun]
Synonyms
  • within

    slightly more formal; can also suggest the event happened inside the period but not necessarily at a single point

  • in

    more general; used for both whole-period and point-in-period meanings ('in the summer')

Grammar Patterns

during + noun phrase

Usage Note

Common with verbs describing a single event or action (arrive, receive, notice, meet, happen) that occurs at an unknown or unimportant time within the period.

Common Mistakes

She called me during the meeting was happening.
She called me during the meeting.' or 'She called me while the meeting was happening.
'during' cannot be followed by a clause; use 'while' for clauses.
He arrived during three o'clock.
He arrived at three o'clock.' or 'He arrived during the afternoon.
'during' is used with periods or events, not specific clock times.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: preposition/1

All three words express that something happens across a period of time, but they differ in emphasis. 'During' is the most neutral and versatile; it simply links an event or action to a time period without stressing its extent ('The shop closes during the holidays'). 'Throughout' places stronger emphasis on covering every part of the period without gaps, and is preferred when continuity matters ('The museum stayed open throughout the renovation'). 'Through' is more informal and common in American English, especially with time expressions ending in a specific endpoint ('She slept through the night'). Use 'throughout' when you want to stress 'every part of,' and 'during' for general association with a time frame. For example: 'He stayed awake throughout the play' (every minute of it) vs. 'He fell asleep during the play' (at some point).

during ↗throughout ↗through ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the day
  • the night
  • the week
  • the summer
  • the winter
  • the meeting
  • the flight
  • the war
  • the journey
  • the performance
  • the exam
  • the holiday
  • the trip
  • the class
  • the movie

Phrases

  • the course of
  • the whole of

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'during' comes from the present participle of the Old French verb 'durer' (to last), which traces back to the Latin verb 'durare' (to harden, to last, to endure). It entered Middle English in the 1300s, first used as a present participle meaning 'lasting' or 'continuing,' and gradually developed into a preposition meaning 'throughout the time of' by the 1400s.