a duration

USAGE SUMMARY

"a duration" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the length of time that something lasts or continues. Example: The duration of the concert was two hours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year ago, the fund had a duration of 2.5 years.

The New York Times

This puts a duration limit on those".

The New York Times - Sports

The duration attribute stores a Duration object.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Example 3: A Duration configured by keywords.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nearly all objects have, or can have, a Duration.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A Duration corresponding to the fully-augmented value.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A Duration object can represent just about any time span.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

TODO: allow a duration object or number for duration.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Visits typically have a duration between one to four months.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In the main scans, the participants only performed a duration discrimination task.

Nature

Resting ventilation was measured for a duration of 15 min after the acclimation period.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying time, follow "a duration" with a precise measurement (e.g., "a duration of two weeks").

Common error

Avoid using "a duration" when the context already clearly implies a length of time. For example, instead of "the duration of time", simply use "the duration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a duration" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically modifies another noun, specifying the length or extent of time associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, appearing in numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

30%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a duration" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to specify the length of time associated with a particular event, process, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts. It's prevalent in scientific, academic, and journalistic writing. For best practice, use it with a clear measurement of time and avoid redundant phrasing. Its alternatives include "a period of time" or "a time span", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a period of time

Focuses on a span of time, emphasizing the length.

a time span

Highlights the interval between two points in time.

a length of time

Emphasizes the extent of time something lasts.

a timeframe

Refers to a specific period during which events occur.

a term

Implies a fixed or specified period.

a phase

Refers to a distinct period within a larger process.

a stretch of time

Suggests a continuous and often considerable period.

an interval

Highlights the space between two events or points in time.

a spell

Indicates a short or indefinite period.

a course

Describes a continuous period or process.

FAQs

How can I use "a duration" in a sentence?

Use "a duration" to specify the length of time something lasts. For example, "The study had "a duration of three months"."

What are some alternatives to "a duration"?

Alternatives include "a period of time", "a time span", or "a length of time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the duration of time"?

While understandable, "the duration of time" can be redundant. It's often better to simply use "the duration" or "the length of time".

What's the difference between "a duration" and "an interval"?

"A duration" refers to the length of something, while "an interval" refers to the space between two points or events. For example, the "duration of the meeting" was two hours, with "an interval of ten minutes" between sessions.