during

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈdjʊərɪŋ/, SAMPA: /"djU@rIN/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈdʊərɪŋ/, SAMPA: /"dU@rIN/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Preposition

Preposition during

1. If you do something during something else, you do it at the same time.
   • He often reads during dinner.
   • I'm always tired because I work during the night.

Usage notes

• During tells you when something happens, not how long it takes. Compare:
  • He read during dinner. (but we don't know how long he slept)
  • He read for two hours. (but we don't know when he slept)
• During doesn't take -ing (present participial) complements. Compare:
  • He read during dinner. (dinner is a noun phrase object)
  • He read while eating dinner. (eating dinner is a present participial complement)

Related words

• duration
• durable
• durability
• endure