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During watching TV, the lights went off.During walking on the moon, they discovered new materials.Is it right to use the gerund after during or not?Please help.

GPY · Accepted Answer

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esalim80Is it right to use the gerund after during or not?

Usually not, and not in your examples.

While I was watching TV, the lights went off.
While (they were) walking on the moon, they discovered new materials.

Esalim80 · Answer

If it is usually not. You mean we can sometimes use it. Actually, I searched for during to be followed by a gerund in many sites, but I didn't find it. so, I'm grateful for your help. But please tell me if we could use it with a gerund. My regards.

SoSaysSunny · Answer

I agree with GPY, those gerund sentences need while to sound natural. I think this is because while indicates something that takes place over time (past progressive?*) but during indicates when a specific event took place (past?*).

If you want to use during: I think it's usually followed by a noun that describes a period of time:

During the last three seconds of the game the power went out. (I hate that!)
While watching the game, the power kept flickering on and off.
During their expedition to the moon, the astronauts discovered the moon was covered with craters.
While exploring the moon, the astronauts felt homesick for Earth.

* NOTE: I'm not an expert and am timid with using the technical terms for verb tenses. I learned them during my two years of Latin (class) but have not used them for 30+ years. While participating in this forum I expect to grow more confident.

SoSaysSunny · Answer

(sorry for all the edits on my previous post)

GPY · Answer

esalim80If it is usually not. You mean we can sometimes use it. Actually, I searched for during to be followed by a gerund in many sites, but I didn't find it. so, I'm grateful for your help. But please tell me if we could use it with a gerund. My regards.

When a gerund (or gerund by derivation) behaves as a standalone noun, it may be possible. Examples found through Google:

Therefore, equipment used to keep foods hot or cold before and during serving must be properly maintained.

An electronic boarding pass contains all your flight details and a barcode that will be scanned at the airport during boarding.

Please stand during the playing of the national anthem.

I can't think of any viable examples where the gerund has an object.

Esalim80 · Answer

Thanks a lot for your help. My appreciation.

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