What’s Different Between “During The Weekend” And “Over T…

What’s the difference between “during the weekend” and “over the weekend?”

I agree with the others who have responded that these are essentially the same in meaning.

I tend to use ‘over the weekend’ when referring to the past weekend (the weekend that has just passed):

What did you do over the weekend?

My son came home from college over the weekend.

(which implies: But he has gone back to college now that the new week has begun. When there is a holiday on Monday, this is called a “long weekend.” So his son may have come home Friday evening after classes and not returned to college until Monday evening, with the work and school week starting on Tuesday.)

Also “this past weekend”:

What did you do this past weekend?

We took a little road trip this past weekend.

Otherwise I use “this weekend” to refer to the weekend that is approaching:

What are you going to do this weekend?

I plan on doing some yard work this weekend.

I’ll read the report this weekend.

There are specific contexts where I would use ‘during the weekend,’ such as referring to a specific date:

During the weekend of September 16-18, the city will be hosting its 14th annual International Film Festival.

I would have to see the phrases “during the weekend” or “over the weekend” used in the context of a sentence to be able to tell you which would be preferable, or whether I would use another phrase, such as “this weekend.”

In the exercise, they are referring to activities which they anticipate will take place during specified periods of time in the future: weeks and weekends. In this context, what I would say is:

Well, I’ll be playing soccer with my school team during the week and going swimming on weekends.

The basic format would be: During the week I’ll be doing this (one activity, e.g. playing soccer with my school team). And on weekends I’ll be doing this (other activity, e.g. going swimming).