during
[preposition]
Synonyms: amid, mid, midst, over, throughout

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English Thesaurus: during, all through, over, in the course of something, within, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

dur‧ing S1 W1 /ˈdjʊərɪŋ $ ˈdʊr-/ preposition
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: dure 'to continue in existence' (13-19 centuries), from Old French durer, from Latin durare]

1. from the beginning to the end of a period of time:
During the summer she worked as a lifeguard.
He slept calmly during the early part of the night.
Foxes remain hidden during the day.

2. at some point in a period of time:
My father was killed during the war.
I mentioned the subject during our discussions at her Washington office.
► Do not say ‘during doing something’ or ‘during someone does something’. Use while: They chatted while waiting for the train (NOT during waiting for the train). | He stole her money while she slept (NOT during she slept).

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

during
preposition
1.
BAD: After the accident, I had to stay in hospital during three months.
GOOD: After the accident, I had to stay in hospital for three months.
BAD: It is difficult to concentrate during such a long time.
GOOD: It is difficult to concentrate for such a long time.

Usage Note:
During answers the question 'When?': 'During her stay here, she made a lot of good friends.'
For answers the question 'How long?': 'I've been learning English for two years.' 'We've been waiting here for almost an hour.'

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2.
BAD: My uncle has known me during all my life.
GOOD: My uncle has known me all my life.
BAD: The baby cried during all night long.
GOOD: The baby cried all night long.

Usage Note:
When a phrase saying 'how long' begins with all , there is no preposition: 'It rained all night.' 'He's been in bed all day.'

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3.
BAD: During waiting for the train, I met an old friend of mine.
GOOD: While waiting for the train, I met an old friend of mine.
BAD: This was my biggest problem during I was living in the United States.
GOOD: This was my biggest problem while I was living in the United States.

Usage Note:
See note at WHILE 1 (while)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

during at one point in a period of time, or through the whole of a period of time:
Did you hear the storm during the night?
During the summer we spend a lot more time out of doors.
all through (also throughout) /ɔːl ˈθruː, θruːˈaʊt/ during all of a period of time:
The cafe’s closed all through the winter and opens again in April.
Throughout her career she has worked hard and achieved the highest standards.
over at one point or at various different points during a period of time:
I’m going to redecorate my bedroom over the holidays.
She’s been a great help to me over the past year.
in the course of something formal during a particular process or period of time:
In the course of the study we consulted with leading experts in global warming.
Many factors control the rise and fall of a species in the course of evolution.
There was huge social change in the course of the 1960s.
within during a period of time, or before the end of a period – used when you want to emphasize that it is a short or limited period:
There have been five serious accidents within the last few days.
Payment must be made within 30 days.
If we are inviting you for an interview, you will receive a letter within 14 days.
finished if something is finished, you have done all of it:
She showed him the finished drawing.
I was very pleased with the finished result.
done [not before noun] finished - used especially in everyday English instead of finished:
I can’t come out till my essay’s done.
They promised the work would be done by April.
complete [not before noun] completely finished – used especially to emphasize that there is no more work to do:
Six months later the job was complete.
The first stage of the project is now complete.
be through informal to have finished doing something or using something:
I probably won’t be through till about 6 o'clock.
Are you through with those scissors?

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲