a vast span of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast span of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large extent or range of something, often in terms of time, space, or quantity. Example: "The project covers a vast span of time, from the early 1900s to the present day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's an extraordinary personal documentary, in which the filmmaker's firsthand experience is shown to reach a vast span of politics and a surprising depth of history.

The New Yorker

Moment by moment it's suspenseful, evocative and poetic; each phrase conjures up picturesque marvels; it covers a vast span of colors, moods, energies.

The New York Times - Arts

But in the view from the altar toward the entrance -- a vast span of more than 500 feet -- the cathedral's huge rose window seems to float in the murky gloom.

The New York Times

They were usually very long, impeccably researched and covered a vast span of history, and though everyone agreed they were brilliant no one seemed to have much to say about them.

The Guardian - Books

And the rich emotional life he evokes with those methods is mercurial — the depth of mood yields up surprising, iridescent details, like bubbles and shimmers of feeling, that conjure a vast span of inner life from the film's straightforward particulars.

The New Yorker

It is also a colossal achievement, gathering thousands of shreds of evidence from a vast span of sources to trace the fates of English Gypsies from their first arrival among us until now.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Each monument acknowledges the vast span of geological time, the durability of stone compared with a human lifetime.

The Guardian - Books

Beethoven could be notoriously unkind to singers and the vast span of Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur pushed him a bit in his upper registers.

The Guardian - Music

Radiometric dating also helped geochronologists discover the vast span of geologic time.

Britannica

The greatest interpreters make you believe you are encountering even the most familiar work for the first time, and Zimerman offered exactly that kind of journey of discovery through the vast span of the Brahms concerto.

The Guardian - Music

It opened the eyes of educated readers to the vast span of geologic time, and was the beginning of the end for the belief that all creation dated back just 6,000 years to the Garden of Eden.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast span of" to effectively convey the immensity or breadth of time, space, or scope, particularly when highlighting the extensive nature of the subject being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast span of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "a wide range of" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast span of" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its extensive range, duration, or scope. As Ludwig AI explains, it effectively conveys the immensity or breadth of the subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast span of" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the considerable extent of something, whether time, distance, or scope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and scientific writing, it's essential to use it judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings. Related phrases include "a wide range of" and "a broad extent of". By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "a vast span of" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide range of

Replaces "vast span" with "wide range", focusing on variety rather than physical extent.

a broad extent of

Uses "broad extent" instead of "vast span", emphasizing the reach or scope.

an extensive stretch of

Highlights a continuous area or distance, replacing "span" with "stretch".

a great extent of

Uses "great extent" instead of "vast span", softening the intensity of the phrase.

a considerable period of

Focuses specifically on time, replacing "span" with "period".

a large scope of

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of something rather than a physical length or time.

a significant duration of

Similar to "considerable period", but uses "duration" for a formal tone.

a far-reaching scope of

More emphatic than "large scope", with a sense of influence or effect.

a prolonged duration of

Similar to "significant duration", emphasizing a long period of time.

a substantial amount of

Shifts the focus to quantity or volume rather than length or time.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast span of" in a sentence?

Use "a vast span of" to describe something that covers a large range or extent. For example: "The study covers "a vast span of history"."

What are some alternatives to "a vast span of"?

Alternatives include "a wide range of", "a broad extent of", or "a considerable period of", depending on the context.

Is "a vast span of time" the same as "a long period of time"?

While similar, "a vast span of time" emphasizes the immensity or extensive nature of the period, whereas "a long period of time" simply indicates that it is not short.

What's the difference between "a vast span of" and "a wide range of"?

"A vast span of" generally refers to an extensive duration or distance, while ""a wide range of"" indicates variety or diversity.