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Preposition before noun

Which prepositions go with “period”?

Different prepositions with period express duration, time within an event, or type of interval. Some combinations are fixed expressions.

Quick answer

Common patterns with “period”

Use for a period of time to express duration, during the period to refer to something happening within a time span, and period of for a type or length of time. In period is uncommon except in specific expressions such as in this period.

She lived abroad for a period of two years.
No visitors were allowed during the period of renovation.
It was a period of rapid growth.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
for a period of + time

Expressing duration

Use for a period of to show how long something lasts.

The museum closed for a period of six months.
He stayed silent for a period of several minutes.
2
during the period

Events within a time span

Use during the period for actions happening within a defined interval.

Travel was restricted during the period of heavy rain.
Sales increased during the period under review.
3
period of + noun

Describing a type of time

Use period of with nouns such as growth, change, recovery, or uncertainty.

The country entered a period of stability.
She needed a period of rest.
4
in this period

Referring to a specific time frame

In can refer to a particular time frame, but it is not usually a fixed combination directly selected by period.

Many changes occurred in this period of history.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
for a period
He worked there for a period of five years.
Shows duration.
during the period
No construction happened during the period of negotiations.
Shows something happening within a time span.
period of
It was a period of economic change.
Describes the type or character of the time.
with period
The phrase with period is not a standard fixed combination.
With is not normally selected directly by period.
in period
In period is uncommon except in phrases like in this period.
Usually part of a larger time expression rather than a fixed pattern.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “with period” as a noun pattern

English does not normally use period directly with with.

✕ with period of study ✓ during the period of study

Confusing duration and time within an event

For a period expresses length of time, while during the period refers to events inside that time.

✕ He slept during a period of three hours. ✓ He slept for a period of three hours.

Using “in period” without context

In usually needs a determiner or modifier such as this or that.

✕ Many events happened in period. ✓ Many events happened in this period.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The office closed ___ three weeks.
2. Several meetings were cancelled ___ of repairs.
3. The country entered a ___ recovery.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between “for a period” and “during the period”?

For a period expresses duration. During the period describes something happening within that time.

Is “period of” a fixed expression?

Yes. It is commonly used to describe a type or stage of time, such as a period of growth.

Can I say “with period”?

Not as a standard noun pattern. English normally uses other structures instead.

for, admission, of, admission "for adoption", "of adoption" or "to adoption"? "for answer" or "of answer"? "for approval" or "of approval"? for, at, after, to or before lunch? "for breakfast" or "after breakfast"? "for collection" or "of collection"? "for dad" or "with dad"? "for enforcement" or "of enforcement"? "for examination" or "of examination"? "for generation" or "of generation"? "for guidance" or "of guidance"?

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