During vs. While

The words "during" and "while" both pertain to a specific period of time or a duration. However, there are some differences in their usage.

During: "During" is a preposition used to indicate when something happens within a specific period or throughout the course of an event. It focuses on a particular time frame or an ongoing activity. For example, "I read a book during my lunch break" or "She received a phone call during the meeting." In these cases, "during" specifies a specific time or event when something occurred.

While: "While" is a conjunction used to highlight that two actions or states occur simultaneously or overlap in time. It emphasizes the coexistence of two activities or events. For example, "She played the piano while her brother sang" or "I talked on the phone while cooking." In these cases, "while" emphasizes the simultaneous nature of two actions occurring together.

In summary, "during" emphasizes a specific time frame or event, whereas "while" highlights the simultaneous or overlapping occurrence of two actions. The choice between them often depends on the intended meaning and context of the sentence.