a stretch during which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stretch during which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific period of time in which an event or action occurs. Example: "The project will take place over a stretch during which we will conduct extensive research and analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It allowed just one basket during the next 10 minutes, a stretch during which Illinois built an 11-point lead.

The New York Times - Sports

His cartoons ran in the paper for 41 years, a stretch during which that publication and many others churned through various generations of writers, voices and styles.

The New York Times - Books

Jianghong Rao, PhD, a professor of radiology at Stanford who led the work, says that speedy TB diagnostics are sorely needed, as current methods can take up to two months to complete, a stretch during which an infected individual could spread TB broadly, even if they don't know it.

Stanford University

30th shot (21st on goal) at 16:56 of first period Magnus Paajarvi, who was inserted  because of a pregame injury to Lennart Petrell, finished off a stretch during which the Oilers took eight shots in just over 75 seconds with a shot on goal that was turned aside by Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov.

The New York Times

The 27-year-old has posted a 44-15 record since mid-June, a stretch during which she won her first title, in Quebec; entered the top 50; reached in the fourth round of a major for the first time; and was seeded for the first time at Indian Wells, Calif., and Miami, perhaps the two most important tournaments outside the Grand Slams.

The New York Times

The Seattle Sounders' home-game attendance numbers have long been the envy of the league; Seattle has drawn over 40,000 fans per game for the last seven years, a stretch during which no other team eclipsed average attendance of 33,000.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He was so determined to excel that he rose from the saddle and sprinted the final 100 meters to the line -- a meager stretch during which 144 other riders remained seated.

The New York Times - Sports

That leaves a long stretch during which moviegoers, tantalized by "Avatar," will be watching fantasy films like "Iron Man 2" from Marvel Entertainment and Paramount or "Jonah Hex" from Warner and Legendary Pictures, neither of which is as technologically ambitious as Mr. Cameron's recent film.

The New York Times

Once again, San Antonio is flying high with its veteran Big Three of Parker, Duncan and Manu Ginobili leading the way, and again the Spurs are in the midst of a challenging stretch during which they will play six games in nine days, including four in five nights.

The New York Times - Sports

Wallace's outburst was a breakout for a player who had not hit half of his shots in a game since March 1, a nine-game stretch during which he shot 17 of 65 (26 percent).

The New York Times - Sports

In the mid-1980's, Mr. McCreadie, by now a full-time racer, began a decade-long stretch during which he dominated the Dirt Motorsports circuit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stretch during which" to clearly define a specific timeframe when describing events or changes that occur within that period. For example: "a three-month stretch during which the company implemented new marketing strategies".

Common error

Ensure the duration implied by "a stretch during which" is clear to the reader. Avoid vague durations; instead, specify the length of the stretch (e.g., "a two-week stretch") for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stretch during which" functions as an adjectival clause, modifying a noun (e.g., period, time, phase) by providing additional information about the timeframe. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which indicates that it introduces a relative clause.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

21%

Books

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a stretch during which" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to denote a specific period of time when something occurs. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival clause, offering clarity about timing in relation to a timeframe. It is commonly found in "News & Media" and "Sports" contexts and maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, clarity and precision in defining the timeframe are crucial to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "a period in which" for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a period in which

Replaces "stretch" with "period", indicating a more generic timeframe.

a time when

Uses simpler vocabulary to denote a specific moment or duration.

a span when

Highlights the duration aspect using the word "span".

a phase where

Emphasizes a stage or phase within a larger process.

a spell when

Suggests a brief or indefinite period.

an interval in which

Implies a measured or defined gap between events.

a stage when

Describes a particular point or step in a process.

a duration wherein

Uses a more formal term, "wherein", for a sophisticated tone.

a chapter where

Positions the time as a part of a broader narrative or history.

a season during which

Specifies a season as the time frame, implying cyclical events.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a stretch during which" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a period in which" or "a timeframe during which". These alternatives offer a more elevated and professional tone suitable for academic or business writing.

Is it correct to say "a stretch in which" instead of "a stretch during which"?

While "a stretch in which" is grammatically acceptable, "a stretch during which" is more common and clearly indicates that events or actions occur within that defined time period. The latter helps avoid potential ambiguity.

What is the difference between "a stretch during which" and "a period of time when"?

"A stretch during which" implies a continuous, often notable, duration. "A period of time when" is more generic and doesn't necessarily convey the same sense of a significant or specific duration. You can use alternatives like "a period in which" to express the same intention.

How can I use "a stretch during which" in a sentence?

You can use "a stretch during which" to describe a timeframe when certain activities happen. For example: "There was "a long stretch during which" the company focused on product development".