across the span

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the span" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs or exists over a certain distance or duration. Example: "The project was completed across the span of two years, showcasing the team's dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was less interested in what lay across the span than in what ran underneath.

The New York Times - Travel

Seen across the span of SundanceNow's retrospective, it's an awkward delicateness that grows into a principle.

The New York Times - Arts

The fact that they are so during mourning is perfectly consistent with their approach across the span of their treatment.

The New York Times - Science

"We need someone with Saddam Hussein's power and his strength to control everything in Iraq," he said before uncertainly making his way across the span toward home.

The New York Times

If you're interested in working across the span of habitat that species are living in, it's very likely that most of that habitat is under human influence".

The New Yorker

People were invited to walk across the span before it was opened to traffic, and the experience was as scary as it was amazing.

The New York Times

But football's theatre of the absurd has, of course, been located firmly in Zurich across the span of these crazy last three days.

Independent

Unquestionably antique yet eerily familiar, the likenesses suggest that certain urban faces occur and reoccur, reborn, perhaps, in new bodies across the span of time.

The New York Times

Some three hundred ambulatory revellers joined the tour last year, but that's nowhere near the record number of people to walk across the span on one day.

The New Yorker

"I feel the bounce," said Charles Rowe, a graduate student who took his first stroll across the span with his silken windhound, Talvi.

The New York Times

After a showing of The Great Ziegfeld at the NFT she turned to the audience from the front row, swept her arm across the span of the auditorium and smiled.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the span" to indicate the full extent or duration of something, whether it's physical space, time, or a range of experiences. For instance, "The study examined changes in climate patterns across the span of a century."

Common error

Avoid using "across the span" when simply referring to a location or direction. Instead, reserve it for instances where you want to emphasize the entirety of an area or duration. For example, don't say "He walked across the span of the room" when "He walked across the room" suffices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the span" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates the extent or duration of something, whether physical or abstract. It's commonly used to describe the range or scope of an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

44%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "across the span" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the full extent, duration, or range of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal and neutral registers, primarily within News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, remember to use "across the span" to emphasize comprehensiveness and avoid using it for simple directional references. Consider alternatives like "over the extent of" or "throughout the duration of" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the extent of

Emphasizes the total area or degree covered, rather than a simple traversal.

over the period of

Specifically refers to a defined length of time.

spanning the entirety of

Highlights that the whole duration or length is included, leaving no parts out.

throughout the duration of

Specifically relates to a time period, stressing the continuous presence or action.

through the course of

Suggests a progression or development happening during a certain time.

covering the scope of

Focuses on the range or comprehensiveness of what is being considered.

through the breadth of

Emphasizes the wide range or extent of something, often in terms of knowledge or experience.

within the limits of

Highlights that something is confined to a specific range or boundary.

encompassing the reach of

Stresses the inclusion of everything within a specific area or influence.

in the realm of

Focuses on the sphere or domain in which something exists or operates.

FAQs

How can I use "across the span" in a sentence?

Use "across the span" to indicate the entirety of a duration, distance, or range. For example, "The artist's work evolved "across the span" of their career."

What's a good alternative to "across the span" when discussing time?

When referring to time, consider using alternatives like "throughout the duration of" or "over the period of" for similar meaning. For example, "The project developed "throughout the duration of" five years."

Can "across the span" be used for both physical and abstract concepts?

Yes, "across the span" can be used for both physical distances, such as ""across the span" of the bridge", and abstract concepts like ""across the span" of history."

Is there a difference between "across the span" and "over the span"?

While similar, "across the span" emphasizes movement or extension from one point to another, while "over the span" focuses more on encompassing the entire duration or area. Using either can depend on context.