Mastering "During That Week": A Simple Grammar Guide

Ever feel confused about when to use certain time phrases in English? You're not alone! Phrases that specify time are essential for clear communication. In this guide, we will focus on one useful phrase: "during that week." Understanding how to use "during that week" correctly will improve your sentence structure and help you speak with more confidence. Let's explore its meaning, grammar, and how to use it like a native speaker.

Table of Contents

• What Does "During That Week" Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "During That Week"?
• Example Sentences with "During That Week"
• When and How to Use "During That Week"
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does "During That Week" Mean?

The phrase "during that week" means at some point within a specific seven-day period that has already been mentioned or is understood from the context.

It helps you pinpoint an action or event to a particular week in the past or future. This phrase answers the question "When?". It functions as an adverbial phrase, which means it modifies a verb to provide more detail about when something happens. Using it correctly is a great step toward achieving fluency in English.

More: Mastering 'In the Past Decade': Grammar & Usage Guide

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "During That Week"?

"During that week" is an adverbial phrase of time. These phrases tell us when an action takes place. Let's look at its grammar rules and sentence structure.

Grammatical Breakdown

This phrase is simple. It contains three parts:

• Preposition:during - This word shows the time period in which something happens.
• Determiner:that - This word points to a specific week you are talking about.
• Noun:week - The period of seven days.

The preposition "during" is key here. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "during" is used to say when something happens. This makes it perfect for adverbial phrases of time.

Position in a Sentence

You can place "during that week" in two main positions:

1. At the end of the sentence (most common): This is the most natural position.

   • Subject + Verb + Object + [During that week].
   • Example: I visited the museum during that week.

2. At the beginning of the sentence: This adds emphasis to the time frame. Remember to use a comma after the phrase.

   • [During that week], Subject + Verb + Object.
   • Example: During that week, I visited the museum.

More: Mastering 'In Early Spring': Grammar & Usage Guide

Example Sentences with "During That Week"

Seeing how a phrase is used in context is one of the best ways to learn English grammar. Here are some natural sentence examples to help you understand its use.

• We had three major exams during that week, so I didn't get much sleep.
• The weather was beautiful during that week. We went to the beach almost every day.
• During that week, the company launched its new software.

Here is a short dialogue:

• Person A: "When did you go on your trip to Paris? Was it in May?"
• Person B: "No, it was the first week of June. I saw the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre during that week."

These examples show how "during that week" refers to a specific, previously identified week.

When and How to Use "During That Week"

"During that week" is a versatile phrase that works in both formal and informal English. You can use it in emails, stories, daily conversations, or reports. It's a key tool for verb modifiers.

Common Usage Tips

• Context is Key: Always make sure the listener or reader knows which "week" you are referring to. You should mention the specific week before using the phrase. For example: "I was on vacation from July 1st to July 7th. I felt very relaxed during that week."
• Variations: You can swap "that" for other determiners to change the meaning slightly.
  • "During this week": Refers to the current week.
  • "During the week": Refers to the weekdays (Monday to Friday), not the weekend.
  • "During a week in August": Refers to an unspecified week within that month.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake for ESL learners is using the wrong preposition.

• Incorrect: "I was busy in that week."
• Correct: "I was busy during that week."

While "in that week" is sometimes grammatically possible, "during" more clearly expresses that an action happened continuously or at some point within the seven-day period. Stick with "during" for better clarity. This is one of those small ESL writing tips that can make a big difference.

Summary and Practice Tip

To summarize, "during that week" is an adverbial phrase of time. It tells you when an action happened within a specific, known seven-day period. You can place it at the beginning or end of a sentence to modify a verb.

Now it's your turn to practice! Think about a memorable week in your life. What did you do?

Write a sentence in the comments below using "during that week."

Practicing is the best way to improve your English grammar help and build confidence. Keep up the great work!