During / In
Expressing duration vs. exact time
Both during and in can be used when talking about periods of time.
However, there are some differences and some unique instances of use. Contrast the examples below. * marks examples that sound bad.
"During" – Emphasis on a Period of Time
| DURING - EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITY DURATION | IN - EMPHASIS ON EXACTLY WHEN |
|---|---|
"during" expresses a period or range of time (also, "over", from X to Y, "throughout"). |
"in" specifies a time: "at this time" |
We are on vacation during July. |
We are on vacation in July. |
We'll sleep during the day and party at night. |
We'll sleep in the day and party at night. |
The sea was warm during the summer. |
The sea was warm in the summer. |
I woke up several times during the night. |
I woke up several times in the night. |
"During" – Emphasis on Duration
| DURING – BEFORE PHRASES OF DURATION | IN – BEFORE PHRASES OF DURATION |
|---|---|
After a verb that focuses on an activity, "during" is used to indicate a period or range of time for the activity. |
*After a verb that focuses on an activity, "in" sounds awkward when indicating a period or range of time for the activity. Instead, use "during". |
We had a great time during our stay there. |
* We had a great time in our stay there. (incorrect) |
We went to the beach several times during our stay. |
* We went to the beach several times in our stay. (incorrect) |
I met lots of exciting people during that month. |
* I met lots of exciting people in that month. (incorrect) |
We had some phenomenal experiences during our trip. |
* We had some phenomenal experiences in our trip. (incorrect) |
The shop is closed during the whole month of July. |
* The shop is closed in the whole month of July. (incorrect) |
"In" – Emphasis on Exactly When
| DURING - EMPHASIS ON EXACTLY WHEN | IN - EMPHASIS ON EXACTLY WHEN |
|---|---|
*"During" is rarely used to determine exactly when an activity happens. |
"In" is commonly used to determine exactly when an activity happens. |
* We stayed there during July, not during August. (awkward) |
We stayed there in July, not in August. |
* We went to the beach during the mornings, not during the afternoons. |
We went to the beach in the mornings, not in the afternoons. |
* I told him not to go there during the spring. (awkward) |
I told him not to go there in the spring. (season) |
The San Francisco Bay Bridge
Using "During" with Certain Verbs
| VERB EXPRESSING ACTIVITY | VERB EXPRESSING DURATION |
|---|---|
When the verb focuses on an ongoing activity, an adverb expressing duration over a period or range of time can be used (e.g. "during", "over", from X to Y, "throughout"). |
When the verb focuses on the duration of an ongoing activity, an adverb with a specified time is used after it. (Verbs that focus on duration are present perfect progressive and verbs with a similar meaning to "last", "go on", "continue") |
Work on the Bay Bridge is taking place during the four-day holiday. Work on the Bay Bridge is occurring over the holiday weekend. Work on the Bay Bridge is scheduled from Thursday to Tuesday. Work on the Bay Bridge is happening throughout the long weekend. |
Work on the Bay Bridge is lasting all weekend / all four days / all month. Work on the Bay Bridge is continuing today / this week / this month. Work on the Bay Bridge is lasting longer than expected. (a longer time) Work on the Bay Bridge is going on a long time. |
What are you doing?
|
What have you been doing? We have been working here since 5:00 p.m. (since - X to now) x= exact time We have been working here for two hours. (for - a quantity time) |
(activity verb) (duration - a range of time)
exact time = midnight, 5:00 a.m., September 10, 2009, June, 2009, the beginning of the 15th century
specified time = today, this year, this month, this decade, all day, all year, all month, all my life, a long time, a short time, a shorter time than expected, four days, ten years
period or time range =
from Monday to Friday, from noon to midnight, over the weekend, over the semester, thoughout the summer, during the winter, during the 12th century
Common Mistakes
| COMMON ERRORS | FIXES |
|---|---|
* Work on the Bay Bridge is lasting during the four-day Labor Day holiday.
|
OPTION: Change the verb to focus on the activity not its duration: OPTION: Change the adverb to to indicate the time range or period: |
* We have been at the movies during the evening. Using the present perfect, here, is awkward. 1) It's unclear whether "we still are at the movies" (ongoing) or "we were at the movies" (completed). 2) Both the verb and the adverb express duration. |
OPTION: Change the verb to focus on the activity not its duration: OPTION: Change the adverb to to indicate the time range or period: |
* The Stanford theater has been closed during the month of July. |
OPTION: Change the verb's focus from duration: OPTION: Change the adverb to to indicate the time range or period:
|
Pop-Q "During"
Practice
Touring San Francisco
- Select the option that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your answer to the comment in the feedback box.
- The preferred answer is listed first if two answers are possible.