during
gb/dˈʊɹɪŋ/ us/dˈʊɹɪŋ/
A2
English
~ 300
-ban/-ben, alatt
A2
1
Usage pattern:
during [event/time period]
I fell asleep during the movie.
No one is allowed to leave during the exam.
She stayed calm during the storm.
We met several times during the summer.
The lights went out during dinner.
Learner examples
It rained during the night.
I read a book during lunch.
He smiled during the class.
We talked during the break.
She was happy during her trip.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'during' with 'while'. 'During' is followed by a noun, not a clause. For example, say 'during the meeting' not 'during we met'.
Meaning
throughout a time period
Collocations
during the day
|during the meeting
|during the summer
|during the night
|during the war
Synonyms
throughout (Emphasizes that something continues for the whole period, while 'during' can refer to any time within it.)
|
in (In some contexts, 'in' can replace 'during', but it is less precise for events.)
Antonyms
before (Refers to a time earlier than the start of the period.)
|
after (Refers to a time later than the end of the period.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|events
|core_vocabulary
Definition
At some time between the start and end of a period.
At some point or throughout the course of a particular period of time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
during
IPA
GB/dˈʊɹɪŋ/
US/dˈʊɹɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
dur - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: during
- Plural: durings
Word family
Forms
durings
noun
Core family
duration
noun B1
Expressions
during office hours
1/dˈʊɹɪŋ ˈɔfɪs ˈaʊɚz/
fixed phrase
within working hours
At some time when offices are open for work.
Examples
- Please call back during office hours.
- You can only enter the building during office hours.
during the course of
1/dˈʊɹɪŋ ðə kˈɔɹs əv/
fixed phrase
formal
in the time span of
At some time in a particular period.
Examples
- Several changes were made during the course of the project.
- He learned many skills during the course of his studies.