a stretch of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"a stretch of time" is a grammatically correct expression in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a period of time, which might be short or long. For example, "I hope the rain stops soon; I don't have much of a stretch of time to get to my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

To an extent, he appears to fit the Mets' modus operandi this season: shuffling modest pieces to survive over a stretch of time.

The New York Times - Sports

The paper is based on surveys of Europeans between 1975 and 2012, a stretch of time that includes periods of high inflation and high unemployment.

The New York Times

And over that long a stretch of time, even small changes in how fast a company grows can have very big economic consequences.

The New Yorker

While I was accustomed to walking to the train station, dry cleaner and bakery, a stretch of time without our second car meant longer pilgrimages on subordinate sidewalks.

The New York Times

But some of you will get appendicitis or crash your cars or end up in a psychiatric hospital for a stretch of time.

The New York Times

Less than a year later, the fund was quietly liquidated: during a stretch of time when the Nasdaq lost fifty per cent of its value, the Disruptive Growth Fund lost sixty-four per cent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

WHEN most people dream of showers, they imagine relaxing steam and a stretch of undisturbed time.

The New York Times

You may have to hold a book open for hours, or even lie on your back holding a camera for a long stretch of time.

WikiHow

A scene in theater is typically defined as an event that takes place in one location, over a contiguous stretch of time, with a fixed set of characters (Polking, 1990, p. 405), and the same typically holds for movies.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Why should a politician think about a longer stretch of time?

Independent

The writing session was followed, for a long stretch of time, by a day job with the postal service.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stretch of time" to refer to a continuous duration, whether short or long, especially when emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the period.

Common error

Avoid using "a stretch of time" when referring to fragmented or intermittent periods. It's better suited for continuous, unbroken durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stretch of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier to indicate duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and identifies a period, long or short. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing various durations across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stretch of time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a continuous period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its register is neutral, making it appropriate for diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates duration. Consider alternatives such as ""a period of time"" or ""a duration"" for similar meanings. Remember to reserve "a stretch of time" for unbroken, continuous durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a period of time

This alternative replaces "stretch" with "period", offering a more generic and commonly used expression for duration.

a duration

Using "duration" simplifies the phrase to a single noun representing the length of time.

an interval of time

This alternative emphasizes the space between two points in time.

a span of time

Replacing "stretch" with "span" provides a slightly more formal alternative, focusing on the extent of the time period.

a length of time

This alternative focuses on the measurement of time, emphasizing its duration.

a phase

Refers to a distinct portion of time, often part of a larger process.

an era

An era is a long and distinct period of history with particular characteristics.

a season

This refers to a recurring period, like summer or winter, or a particular time for an activity.

a while

This is a more informal way to refer to a period of time, often used for shorter durations.

an age

Implies a very long and significant period, often associated with historical or geological epochs.

FAQs

What does "a stretch of time" mean?

The phrase "a stretch of time" refers to a continuous or uninterrupted period. It can be used to describe both short and long durations.

How can I use "a stretch of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a stretch of time" to describe how long something lasts or how long someone does something. For example, "He lived abroad for "a stretch of time".".

What are some alternatives to "a stretch of time"?

Alternatives include "a period of time", "a duration", or "an interval of time", depending on the specific context.

Is "a stretch of time" formal or informal?

The phrase "a stretch of time" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.