What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
during
Example
During the concert, the audience was captivated by the singer's performance. [during: preposition]
Example
I felt sleepy during the movie and almost fell asleep. [during: adverb]
throughout
Example
The fireworks display lasted throughout the night. [throughout: preposition]
Example
The students worked hard throughout the semester to earn good grades. [throughout: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
During is more commonly used than throughout in everyday language. During is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while throughout is less common and is typically used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between during and throughout?
Throughout is more formal than during. It is often used in academic or professional writing, while during is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
