during

/ˈdjʊərɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʊrɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdu̇r-iŋ also ˈdyu̇r-/ (ame, mw)

during — preposition

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

1.介系詞A1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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')

文法句型

during + noun phrase

常見錯誤

❌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.介系詞A1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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')

文法句型

during + noun phrase

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.