In winter/In the winter/During winter/ During the winter.

[Ashraful Haque]

I would like to know which one native speakers find most natural. I was asked to talk about seasons on my IELTS practice test and I can't figure out which one I should go with. I usually say 'in the winter/summer.'

Here are some sentences from my answer:
1) It's not that cold in/in the/during/ during the winter here.
2) The temperature doesn't go below 1 or 2 degrees Celsius in/in the/during/ during the winter.
3) I like wearing track suits, jeans and caps in/in the/during/ during the winter.

I'd also like to know about 'summer.' Do we use 'summer' the same way an winter?
4) In/in the/during/ during the summer I get tired easily which makes me grumpy sometimes.

[SoothingDave]

"In the winter/summer" is most natural for me.

[Barman]

*I'm not a teacher*


In Winter/ Summer may be used.

Generally, no article is used before the names of seasons and festivals, though the definite article may also be found in certain general statements, e.g.,

1) Winter is the best time for picnics.

2) The first time I was in Kashmir was in the Autumn.

[emsr2d2]

*I'm not a teacher*


"In winter/summer" may be used.

Generally, no article is used before the names of seasons and festivals, though the definite article may also be found in certain general statements, e.g.,

1) Winter is the best time for picnics. (There is no definite article before the season here, even though you appear to be giving it as the first example of a general statement with the definite article.)

2) The first time I was in Kashmir was in the autumn.

There is no reason at all to capitalise the names of seasons, unless they're the first word of the sentence.

[PeterCW]

I would like to know which one native speakers find most natural. I was asked to talk about seasons on my IELTS practice test and I can't figure out which one I should go with. I usually say 'in the winter/summer.'

Here are some sentences from my answer:
1) It's not that cold in/in the/during/ during the winter here.
2) The temperature doesn't go below 1 or 2 degrees Celsius in/in the/during/ during the winter.
3) I like wearing track suits, jeans and caps in/in the/during/ during the winter.

I'd also like to know about 'summer.' Do we use 'summer' the same way an winter?
4) In/in the/during/ during the summer I get tired easily which makes me grumpy sometimes.

What is natural to a native speaker isn't always what an examiner would regard as "correct".

In written English I would tend to use "during the" but in spoken English I would be just as likely to say "in the" or to drop the definite article altogether.

With regard to capitalisation, that is a common mistake by native speakers. I think somebody must have told me that it was correct during my childhood as I still have to stop and think about it when writing the name of a season.

[Ashraful Haque]

What is natural to a native speaker isn't always what an examiner would regard as "correct".

In written English I would tend to use "during the" but in spoken English I would be just as likely to say "in the" or to drop the definite article altogether.

With regard to capitalisation, that is a common mistake by native speakers. I think somebody must have told me that it was correct during my childhood as I still have to stop and think about it when writing the name of a season.

1) It's not that cold in winter/in the winter.
2) The temperature doesn't go below 1 or 2 degrees Celsius in winter/in the winter.
3) I like wearing track suits, jeans and caps in winter/in the winter.

- Between 'in' and 'in the' which one would you say in these sentences?
- Is it just a matter of preference?