Grammar-Quizzes.com gave the following rules that will help us learn how to use ‘during’ and ‘in’
(a) DURING – EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITY DURATION
-During expresses a period or range of time (also, “over”, from X to Y, “throughout”).
ex. We are on vacation during July.
-After a verb that focuses on an activity, “during” is used to indicate a period or range of time for the activity. The meaning of the verb expresses a durative action or state. Using present perfect tense with “during” is awkward.
ex. We had a great time during our stay there.
We had a great time in our stay there. (incorrect)
(b) IN – EMPHASIS ON EXACTLY WHEN
-In specifies a “calendar” time, which may be as small as a moment or as large as a century.
Ex. We are on vacation in July.
-After a verb that focuses on an activity, “in” sounds awkward when indicating a period or range of time for the activity.
Ex. We stayed there in July, not in August.
We stayed there during July, not during August. (incorrect)
To take the quiz, please click here.
