during and in

1. We use both during and in to say that something happens inside a particular period of time

• We'll be on holiday during/in August


• I woke up during/in the night

2. We prefer during when we stress that we are talking about the whole of the period

• The shop's closed during the whole of August
  (not in the whole of August)

3. We use during, not in, when we say that something happens between the beginning and end of an activity
(not a period of time)

• He had some  strange experiences during his military service.
  (not in his military service)


• I'll try to phone you during the meeting (not in the meeting)