a precise duration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a precise duration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific and exact length of time for an event or activity. Example: "The project requires a precise duration of three weeks to ensure all tasks are completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Stephen Wallace stressed that probation is meant to be a legal sentence with a precise duration.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Maraniss is a newsman at The Washington Post and a Pulitzer Prize winner). He gives street addresses to family homes, the exact departure times of flights, the precise duration of a helicopter ride.

The New York Times - Books

On Notorious (1946), he found himself hemmed in by censors on the precise duration of a kiss between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman.

Huffington Post

For most neurodegenerative diseases the precise duration of an individual cell's death is unknown, which is an obstacle when counteractive measures are being considered.

Cell Death and Disease

The authority did not dispute the numbers, though officials emphasized one of the report's caveats: Because the review does not account for the precise duration of delays, it does not "paint a full picture of service issues," a spokesman for the authority, Charles Seaton, said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

More and more employers, he says, are embracing a project-based model not unlike the template for producing a Hollywood film: They recruit the kind of talent they need for the precise duration they need.

Duke University

There's the fireworks during Live And Let Die, the massed chorus of Hey Jude and the storm that lasts for the precise duration of Helter Skelter.

The Guardian - Music

Since the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, an ex-KGB man, in London, Russian officials have only been granted visas for the precise duration of their business in Britain.

The Economist

This inaccuracy may render a metric meaningless if it relies on the order in which events occur, or on the precise duration of tasks.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

No information on precise amount or doses and the precise duration of the use of the substitutes was obtained.

Plosone

The precise duration of immunosuppressive therapy remains to be determined.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a precise duration", ensure that the context requires a high degree of accuracy and that the specified time is clearly defined and measurable.

Common error

Avoid using "a precise duration" in casual conversation or informal writing where a general estimate of time is sufficient. Opt for simpler expressions like "a short time" or "a few days" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a precise duration" functions as a noun phrase modifier. The adjective "precise" modifies the noun "duration", specifying that the length of time is exact and carefully determined, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a precise duration" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote an exact and carefully measured length of time. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare, appearing most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using "a precise duration", ensure the context calls for a high degree of temporal accuracy. Alternatives include "an exact duration" or "a specific duration", depending on the desired level of emphasis on exactness. Avoid its overuse in informal settings where simpler language suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exact duration

Replaces "precise" with "exact", emphasizing accuracy.

an accurate timeframe

Replaces "precise" with "accurate," highlighting correctness.

a clearly defined duration

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguity of the time span.

a specific duration

Uses "specific" instead of "precise", focusing on particularity rather than exactness.

a definite duration

Substitutes "precise" with "definite", highlighting certainty.

a designated duration

Emphasizes that the duration was assigned or chosen.

a fixed period

Replaces "duration" with "period", shifting the focus to a segment of time.

a set timeframe

Uses "timeframe" instead of "duration", denoting a defined temporal boundary.

an established length of time

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention the concept of time and its measured extent.

a determined length

Focuses on the act of establishing the length.

FAQs

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

You can use "a precise duration" to describe a specific and exact length of time allocated for something. For example, "The experiment requires "a precise duration" of 24 hours to yield accurate results."

What are some alternatives to saying "a precise duration"?

Alternatives include "an exact duration", "a specific duration", or "a fixed period". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "precise duration" or "exact duration"?

Both "precise duration" and "exact duration" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. "Precise" often implies a higher level of accuracy and meticulousness compared to "exact".

In what contexts is "a precise duration" most appropriate?

"A precise duration" is most appropriate in formal or technical contexts, such as scientific studies, legal documents, or engineering specifications, where accuracy in time measurement is essential.