a great span of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great span of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large extent or range of something, such as time, distance, or variety. Example: "The project required a great span of resources to be completed successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He admitted to the canvas a great span of perception and mood, greater than that of his Impressionist friends.

Columbia University

The new method works reliably for a great span of possible molecules, encompassing well-known drugs, nutrients, and a multitude of other technically interesting compounds.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

However, feeling suspense upon repeated viewings after a great span of time is an altogether different phenomenon.

SEP

Plus there's a great span of music that you've incorporated into your own repertoire, perhaps because of all of these things?

Huffington Post

You know, some people are eager to live a great span of life, but they failed… You know this is predetermined".

BMC Geriatrics

A precise diary, which need not cover a great span of time, may help your doctor understand your problem.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A greater span of control could expose companies to greater risk, cautioned Kropp of Corporate Executive Board.

The Washington Post

The reasons contributing to this might be that they used larger plots with more soil samples per plot, and that they had many more field plots which allowed development of more complex models as well as enabling the inclusion of a greater span of data, which tends to improve R2.

Carbon Balance and Management

ThiSometicriticsginally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

They want both their individual and relationship parts of them to embrace a greater span of emotional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

HuffPost

When used in research settings, were a greater span of possible results enables a greater power to detect significant differences, the original 20-item SIAS version should likewise be preferred.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great span of" to emphasize the magnitude or extent of something, whether it's time, distance, or a range of possibilities. This phrase adds a sense of significance to the quantity or duration you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "a great span of" in situations where a simpler phrase like "a lot of" or "many" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great span of" functions as a determiner phrase. It typically modifies a noun, indicating a significant extent or range. Ludwig shows that it often precedes nouns referring to time, distance, or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a great span of" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a substantial range or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides relevant examples from diverse sources. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where emphasizing magnitude or duration is important. Be mindful of overuse and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. Top sources include "The New York Times", "Huffington Post" and "The New Yorker".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable extent of

Emphasizes the substantial amount or degree of something, similar to "a great span of" but with a focus on quantity.

a significant range of

Highlights the variety or scope covered, akin to "a great span of" but concentrating on diversity.

a wide array of

Stresses the broad selection or collection available, similar to "a great span of" when referring to options or possibilities.

a broad spectrum of

Implies a comprehensive coverage of different elements or aspects, akin to "a great span of" but with a more technical connotation.

a vast expanse of

Focuses on the large spatial extent or area involved, comparable to "a great span of" when referring to physical spaces or distances.

a large duration of

Specifies the considerable length of time, resembling "a great span of" when referring to temporal periods.

an extensive period of

Underscores the prolonged nature of a time frame, similar to "a great span of" in temporal contexts but with a formal tone.

a comprehensive scope of

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the subject matter, akin to "a great span of" when referring to the breadth of coverage.

an encompassing breadth of

Emphasizes the inclusive nature of the topic, mirroring "a great span of" in terms of comprehensiveness.

a considerable scope of

Highlights the range of the topic under discussion, similar to "a great span of" but placing more focus on the range.

FAQs

How can I use "a great span of" in a sentence?

Use "a great span of" to describe something that covers a large extent or range. For example, "The novel covers "a great span of" human history" or "The project required "a great span of" resources".

What are some alternatives to "a great span of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like /s/a+wide+range+of "a wide range of", "a considerable amount of", or "a significant extent of".

Is "a great span of" formal or informal?

"A great span of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts, but might be too verbose for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "a great span of" and "a large number of"?

"A great span of" is best used when referring to something that extends over a range or duration, while "a large number of" is more appropriate for countable items. For instance, you might say "a great span of time" but "a large number of participants".