During
'During' mainly functions as a preposition. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.
Functions of 'During'
'During' as a Preposition
As mentioned above, 'during' is a preposition in the English language. Below, we are going to learn about the different kinds of prepositions it can be:
Use
'During' as a Preposition of Time
We can use 'during' as a preposition of time. Look:
When we want to signify that the action continued from the beginning to the end of a particular period of time, we use 'during'. Look:
Anna was mostly at the office during summer.
Here, it is inferred that from the beginning to the end of summer the action continued.
We can also use 'during' to talk about certain points of time in a long period. Take a look below:
I had to drink water several times during the night.
Another actress was chosen during her absence.
Position in a Sentence
As you know, prepositions always come before nouns or noun phrases. When using 'during' as a preposition, there are no limitations as to where we can put the prepositional phrase. Look at the following examples for more clarification:
Many innocent people were killed during the Great War.
Here, we have a prepositional phrase at the end of the sentence.
During work, I do not like to answer phone calls.
Here, we have a prepositional phrase at the beginning of the sentence.
Hannah and her friends, during lunchtimes, go to the park and chit-chat.
Warning!
Please note that whenever we have a prepositional phrase at the beginning of the sentence, we must put a comma after it. Also, when it is in the middle, we must put commas both before and after it. Look:
During vs. While
Both of these words are used to state that two things are happening at the same time. However, 'during' is a preposition, and 'while' is a conjunction that connects two clauses together. Compare the following examples:
During the Great Depression, many Americans went mad.
I was doing the dishes while my mother was out there gardening.
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