a term of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a term of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific period of time or duration in a contractual agreement or legal document. Example: "The lease agreement stated that the tenant would occupy the property for a term of one year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A term of endearment?

The New York Times

It is a term of affection.

The New York Times

But that is a term of art.

The Economist

"Casual," here, is a term of art.

The New Yorker

ROSS: It's a term of endearment.

The New Yorker

It's a term of endearment".

The New York Times - Style

"Europe" is a term of abuse.

The Guardian

I thought it's a term of endearment".

The Guardian

It's a term of abuse against liberals.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We did a term of photography, a term of textiles, a term of weave, some packaging design and a lot of life drawing, which I really loved".

The Guardian - Money

Nowadays "belletrist" is almost a term of insult.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a term of" to specify a duration, ensure clarity by stating the unit of time (e.g., "a term of five years" rather than just "a term of five").

Common error

Avoid using "a term in" when specifying duration. The correct preposition is "of", as in "a term of six months".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a term of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying duration, condition, or definition. Ludwig examples show it clarifying time periods in contracts and legal contexts, as seen in Ludwig AI's confirmation of correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a term of" is a versatile phrase primarily used to specify duration, conditions, or definitions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in formal contexts like legal documents, news reports, and academic papers. While it sees some use in informal settings, its precision makes it best suited for more structured communication. Common usage includes defining time periods, as in "a term of five years", and describing specific conditions within agreements. Remember to use "of" instead of "in" to avoid grammatical errors. By considering the context and purpose, writers can effectively use "a term of" to add clarity and precision to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a duration concerning

Replaces "term" with "duration", focusing specifically on the length of time.

a period encompassing

Replaces "term" with a more descriptive noun and alters the structure for greater explicitness.

a span involving

Uses "span" instead of "term", emphasizing the continuous nature of the duration or condition.

a phase involving

Employs "phase" to represent a stage or part of a process or period.

an interval for

Replaces "term" with "interval", stressing the bounded nature of the period.

a tenure relating to

Substitutes "term" with "tenure", implying a specific role or position held for a period.

a space of

Replaces term with space.

a season regarding

Uses "season" instead of "term", suitable when referring to a time period in a specific activity or context.

a stage during

Uses "stage" to specify a step or point in a process that has defined characteristics.

a chapter in

Metaphorically uses 'chapter' to denote a segment or period within a larger narrative or process.

FAQs

What does "a term of" typically refer to?

The phrase "a term of" generally refers to a specific duration or period, such as in a contract or agreement. It could also describe a condition or definition, depending on the context.

How can I use "a term of" in a sentence?

You can use "a term of" to specify the length of something, like "The loan has "a term of" 30 years", or to define conditions, like "'Due diligence' is "a term of" art in legal settings".

What are some alternatives to using "a term of" when referring to duration?

Instead of "a term of", consider using phrases like "a period of", "a duration of", or "for the duration of" to express a specific length of time.

Is it correct to say "a term in" instead of "a term of"?

No, the correct phrase is ""a term of"". Using "in" instead of "of" is grammatically incorrect in this context.