a substantial span of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial span of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant duration or period in various contexts, such as discussions about history, personal experiences, or project timelines. Example: "The research project took a substantial span of time to complete, requiring years of dedicated effort from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The capstone experiment asks readers to abstain from using selected devices for a substantial span of time, and then to pay close attention to how things go.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even a 10-minute Chopin ballade for piano, let alone Messiaen's 75-minute "Turangalila Symphony," tries to grapple with, activate and organize a relatively substantial span of time.

The New York Times - Arts

The high-yielding straw samples released approximately double the amount of total sugar in comparison to the low-yielding samples, indicating a substantial span in bioethanol potential.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

This framework involves a sprint, a span of time during which a product increment is created.

Forbes

Cliff's narrative covers a huge span of time.

The New York Times

"The attack had a profoundly adverse impact in a short span of time".

The New York Times

Half a decade is a geological span of time in the software industry.

The New York Times - Books

They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.

The Guardian

Whenever stocks fall sharply in a short span of time, people tend to panic.

The New Yorker

At least not consistently and over a long span of time.

Forbes

In a short span of time the debaters crossed a slew of conventional redlines.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial span of time", ensure the context clearly indicates what events or developments occurred during that period to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial span of time" when the duration is relatively short or insignificant in the context. Overusing "substantial" can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial span of time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the duration over which an action or event occurs. It adds emphasis to the length of the period being discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial span of time" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase employed to emphasize a significant duration. Ludwig indicates its suitability across varied contexts, predominantly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "a considerable duration" or "a significant period" exist, this phrase effectively highlights the length and importance of the time period under discussion. It is advised to use it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants the emphasis on duration. In conclusion, although the phrase is relatively common, the choice to use it should be intentional to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable duration

Replaces "span of time" with "duration" while maintaining the sense of a significant length of time.

a significant period

Substitutes "span of time" with "period", emphasizing the importance and length of the duration.

an extensive interval

Uses "interval" instead of "span", highlighting the distance between two points in time.

a prolonged timeframe

Replaces "span of time" with "timeframe", suggesting a specific period with defined start and end points.

a lengthy duration

Emphasizes the length of time using "lengthy" instead of "substantial".

a sizable amount of time

Shifts focus to the quantity of time, using "sizable amount" to convey a large duration.

a noteworthy period

Highlights the importance of the period using "noteworthy", while maintaining the sense of duration.

a considerable stretch

Uses "stretch" to denote an unbroken period, implying continuity over the duration.

an appreciable duration

Uses "appreciable" to indicate a duration that is easily noticed or significant.

an extended phase

Replaces "span of time" with "phase", suggesting a distinct period with specific characteristics.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a substantial span of time" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial span of time" to emphasize that a process, event, or change requires or has required a significant duration. For instance, "The project required "a substantial span of time" to complete due to its complexity".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial span of time"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable duration", "a significant period", or "an extensive interval" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it better to say "a substantial span of time" or "a long time"?

"A substantial span of time" is more formal and emphasizes the significance of the duration. "A long time" is simpler and suitable for informal contexts. The choice depends on the desired tone and the audience.

Can I quantify "a substantial span of time" with a specific duration?

Yes, you can follow the phrase with a specific duration for clarity, such as ""a substantial span of time", such as five years", to provide a concrete measure of the duration being discussed.