a fair bit of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fair bit of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to indicate a considerable amount of time. You can use it in a variety of situations. For example, "It took a fair bit of time for the plants to recover from the fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

David: During that time I spent a fair bit of time with Chuck Hagel.

The New York Times

Brad spends a fair bit of time on various excuses — was it really a prediction?

The New York Times

That's better than average, but still a fair bit of time spent on hold.

The New York Times

"Yesterday I did plenty of physio and spent a fair bit of time in there.

The Guardian - Sport

We're spending a fair bit of time up here at Bishop Burton this week.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's a fair bit of time" left, the governor said on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He has two soulmates: Zelda (naturally), who this time around actually receives a fair bit of screen time before the inevitable happens, and a gigantic bird called a Loftwing that swoops to gather him whenever he takes a running jump off the edge of his airborne world.

The Guardian - Tech

And a fair bit of the time they succeed.

The Guardian - Film

Wood has a fair bit of free time – there's no word "when [or] where" the Rolling Stones will next get together.

The Guardian - Music

So he points the camera 180 degrees away from the star a fair bit of the time, and that view introduces a queasy note of apprehension into the otherwise wholesome picture.

The New York Times

A lengthy stoppage for an injury to Dave Kitson suggested there might be a fair bit of added time at the end of the first half but the fourth official has indicated only an extra two minutes... well, plus Fergie time".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fair bit of time" when you want to indicate a significant but not precisely defined amount of time. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "a fair bit of time" in highly formal documents. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "a considerable period" or "a substantial duration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair bit of time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair bit of time" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a considerable duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable. While appropriate for diverse contexts, including News & Media, sports reporting, and lifestyle writing, it's essential to consider the audience and desired level of formality. For highly formal contexts, alternatives like "a considerable amount of time" might be more suitable. The phrase is commonly used, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount of time

Replaces "fair bit" with a more formal synonym, "considerable amount", to emphasize the duration.

a significant period of time

Substitutes "fair bit" with "significant period", highlighting the importance of the duration.

a good deal of time

Uses "good deal" as a less formal alternative to "fair bit", maintaining the meaning.

a substantial length of time

Emphasizes the duration using "substantial length", implying a notable duration.

quite a while

Offers a more casual alternative, suggesting a noticeable duration.

a long stretch of time

Focuses on the continuous nature of the duration with "long stretch".

an extensive duration

Replaces "fair bit" with "extensive duration", emphasizing the length.

a respectable amount of time

Adds a sense of value or worth to the time spent.

a noticeable duration

Highlights that the duration is easily observed or recognized.

a reasonable amount of time

Suggests the duration is appropriate or justifiable for a given purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "a fair bit of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a fair bit of time" to indicate a considerable amount of time spent on something. For instance, "It took "a fair bit of time" to complete the project" or "I spent "a fair bit of time" researching the topic".

What are some alternatives to "a fair bit of time"?

Some alternatives include "a considerable amount of time", "a significant period of time", or "a good deal of time". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "a fair bit of time" or "a long time"?

"A long time" is more general, while ""a fair bit of time"" suggests a noticeable or considerable duration without being excessively long. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Can "a fair bit of time" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""a fair bit of time"" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but more precise alternatives like "a considerable amount of time" or "a substantial period" may be preferred for greater sophistication.