Using during

Using during

We use during to talk about something that happens at a certain point within a period of time.

I met Charles during my stay in France. (It happened at one point within the period of time indicated by the phrase ‘my stay in France’.)

During can also be used to talk about an action or event that continues throughout a whole period of time.

I was in France during May. (= During the whole of May.)

The weather is hot during summer. (= During the whole of summer.)

The hotels were all fully booked during the summer season.

During and throughout

Throughout can be used instead of during when the reference is to a whole period of time.

Prices continued to rise throughout the 1990s. OR Prices continued to rise during the 1990s.

He was in Iraq throughout the war. (= He was in France during the war.)

During and in

In is sometimes used as an alternative to during to talk about actions or situations that happen within a period of time.

 During the four years that I worked for them, I received a raise only once. OR In the four years that I worked for them I received a raise only once.

During and over

Sometimes over is used instead of during to describe a specified period of time.

I don’t intend to do much work over the summer. OR I don’t intend to do much work during summer.

Weather conditions have been steadily deteriorating over the last few hours, so a rescue seems nearly impossible.

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The same word used as different part of speech

Here is a list of some of the most important words which belong to different parts of speech. Note that it is the function or use which determines which part of speech a particular word belongs to.

About

About can be used as an adverb or a preposition. As an adverb, about modifies the verb. As a preposition, it connects a noun or pronoun with some other word in the sentence. Study the examples given below.

They wandered about the town. (Here the word about modifies the verb wandered and hence it acts as an adverb.)

There was something affable about him. (Preposition)

Above

The word above can be used as an adverb, a preposition, an adjective or a noun.

Study the examples given below.

The heavens are above. (Adverb)

The moral code of conduct is above the civil code of conduct. (Preposition)

Read the sentence given above. (Adjective)

Our blessings come from above. (Noun)

After

The word after can be used as an adverb, a preposition, an adjective and a conjunction.

He left soon after. (Adverb)

She takes after her mother. (Preposition)

I went to bed after I had dinner. (Conjunction)

All

All children need love. (Adjective)

She lives all alone in a small hut. (Adverb)

She lost all she owned. (Noun)

Any

Have you got any pens? (Adjective)

Is he any better? (Adverb)

‘Did you get any strawberries?’ ‘There wasn’t any left.’ (Pronoun)

As

We walked as fast as we could. (Adverb)

As he was late, we went without him. (Conjunction)

She likes the same color as I do. (Relative pronoun)

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Changing imperative sentences into the passive

Sentences expressing ideas such as request, order, advice, suggestion and prohibition are called imperative sentences. Such sentences are changed into the passive voice in the following manner.

Active: Please lend me your book.

Passive: You are requested to lend me your book.

Active: Please finish this job first.

Passive: You are requested to finish this job first.

Active: Fetch me a glass of water.

Passive: You are ordered to fetch me a glass of water.

Active: Work hard to get good marks in the examination.

Passive: You are advised to work hard to get good marks in the examination.

Active: Do not pluck flowers.

Passive: You are forbidden from plucking flowers. OR Let the flowers not be plucked.

Active: Do it.

Passive: Let it be done. OR You are ordered to do it.

Active: Let him do it.

Passive: Let him be allowed to do it.

Active: Consult a doctor.

Passive: You are advised to consult a doctor.

Use of modals

Sentences that use the modal auxiliary verb are changed into passive in the following manner.

Active: You ought to respect your elders.

Passive: Your elders ought to be respected by you.

Active: You should learn your lesson.

Passive: Your lesson should be learnt by you.

Nagesh Master