Comparisons Wiki

Throughout vs. During: Difference and Comparison

Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on November 19, 2023
Throughout indicates a continuous action or presence over the entire span of an event or place, while during refers to a specific time period within an event.
Throughout vs. During

Difference Between Throughout and During

Throughout is a preposition that conveys the idea of something being continuous or persistent over the entire duration of an event, or across every part of a place. When using throughout, one emphasizes that there was no interruption in the action or state described, and it remained consistent from start to finish.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
During, on the other hand, is also a preposition but focuses on a specific interval or time frame within a larger event or duration. It doesn't necessarily suggest continuity like throughout does, but rather indicates occurrence at some point or for a period within the designated time.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
For instance, consider the sentence "It rained throughout the day." This implies that the rain started in the morning and continued non-stop until the evening. Contrast this with "It rained during the day," which suggests that it rained at some point in the daytime, but not necessarily all day long.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
In terms of spatial use, throughout can also mean 'in every part of'. For example, "There are trees planted throughout the park," indicates trees are spread in every part of the park. During doesn't have this spatial aspect and is used only in the context of time.
William
Nov 19, 2023

Throughout vs. During Comparison Chart

Focus

Entirety of time or every part of a place
Specific interval within a time frame
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023

Implies

Continuity
Occurrence at some point
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023

Example

"I worked throughout the night."
"I took a break during the night."
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023

Associated Terms

All through, from start to finish
In the course of, in the time of
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023

Use

Temporal (time) and spatial (place)
Only temporal (time)
Levi
Nov 19, 2023

Throughout vs. During Definitions

Throughout

From the beginning to the end.
He was there throughout the event.
Elijah
Sep 12, 2023

During

At some point in the course of.
He arrived during the show.
Muazma Batool
Sep 13, 2023

Throughout

In every part or aspect.
The theme was consistent throughout the book.
William
Sep 12, 2023

During

Throughout a specified period.
The shop is closed during holidays.
Jonathan
Sep 13, 2023

Throughout

At all times during.
The store is open throughout the year.
Muazma Batool
Sep 12, 2023

During

Over the span of a specific period of time.
Many changes occurred during the 20th century.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 13, 2023

Throughout

Everywhere in a particular place.
Posters were hung throughout the school.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 12, 2023

During

As a background activity.
He listened to music during his workout.
Levi
Sep 13, 2023

Throughout

In, to, through, or during every part of; all through
The road is kept open throughout the year.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

At a particular point in time.
A loud noise interrupted us during dinner.
Muazma Batool
Sep 13, 2023

Throughout

In or through all parts; everywhere
The material is flawed throughout.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

Throughout the course or duration of
suffered food shortages during the war.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

During the entire time or extent
Though unsure how her speech would be received, she remained calm and professional throughout.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

At some time in
was born during a blizzard.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

In every part of; all through.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

For all of a given time interval.
I lived with my parents during the 1970s.
The shop was one of the few able to stay open during the war.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

(obsolete) Completely through, right the way through.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

At any time or period within a given time interval.
I lived with my parents at several points during the 1980s.
Many of the best examples were produced during the Restoration.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

In every part; everywhere.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

present participle of dure
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

During an entire period of time, the whole time.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

During

In the time of; as long as the action or existence of; as, during life; during the space of a year.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

Quite through; from one extremity to the other of; also, every part of; as, to search throughout the house.
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appearOf sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

In every part; as, the cloth was of a piece throughout.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

from first to last;
the play was excellent end-to-end
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

used to refer to cited works
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Throughout

During the entire time or extent.
She remained calm throughout the ordeal.
Muazma Batool
Sep 12, 2023

Throughout vs. During Frequently Asked Questions

Can throughout be used to describe locations?

Yes, throughout can mean 'in every part of' when referring to locations.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023

What's a simple way to differentiate the two?

Throughout emphasizes consistency over a whole period or place, while during pinpoints a specific time within a period.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023

Is during used to describe places?

No, during is used exclusively in the context of time.
Elijah
Nov 19, 2023

Would "I read throughout the evening" mean the same as "I read during the evening"?

Not exactly. The first implies you read continuously all evening, while the second suggests you read at some point in the evening.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023

How does during differ from throughout when describing an action?

During refers to an action that takes place at a specific interval within a larger event or time frame.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023

What does throughout mean in terms of time?

Throughout indicates a continuous action or presence over the entire duration of an event.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023

When is it appropriate to use during?

Use during when referring to a specific moment or period within a larger time frame.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023

In terms of spatial use, can during be used like throughout?

No, during doesn't have a spatial context and is used only in terms of time.
Elijah
Nov 19, 2023

When should I use throughout in a sentence?

Use throughout when you want to emphasize that something was continuous or consistent over a period of time or within a place.
William
Nov 19, 2023

Can I say "The theme was present during the book"?

It's more appropriate to use throughout in this context, as in "The theme was present throughout the book."
Kaitlyn
Nov 19, 2023

Content Creators

Written by
Muneeza Rehman
At Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma Batool
As a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.

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