Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
an equal duration
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "an equal duration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing time periods that are the same length or amount. Example: "The two events will take place over an equal duration of three hours."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Academia
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
Subjects with microalbuminuria exhibited moderate increases in glomerular and mesangial volume when compared with those with early diabetes, but could not be distinguished from subjects who remained normoalbuminuric after an equal duration of diabetes.
Academia
Compliance - We checked whether participants in intervention and control groups complied with their drug regimen over an equal duration.
Apart from this, an hour of practicing yoga postures increased the levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) compared to an equal duration of time spent reading [ 33].
Science
In a separate study, practitioners of a moving meditation called cyclic meditation were assessed on two separate days, practicing cyclic meditation or an equal duration of supine rest for comparison [ 43].
Thus, all controls were alive, not previously diagnosed as having acute kidney injury, registered with their general practice when matched to a given case, and had an equal duration of follow-up at the risk set date.
Science
On the other half of the trials (target-absent trials), the target display was replaced either with an instance of the masking pattern (on forward-masking trials) or with a white screen (on backward-masking trials) for an equal duration (71 ms).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
54 human-written examples
To be applied, formula [1] requires one of two conditions to be present: (a) equal duration of "before" periods and equal duration of "after" periods for the treatment site and the comparison group; or (b) equal duration of "before" and "after" periods for the treatment site and the same for the comparison group.
A recently completed study compared concreteness training vs. an equal-duration bogus training condition matched for rationale, vs. a waiting-list control condition in a dysphoric sample (Watkins, Baeyens, & Read, in press).
Alternatively, CNT could be compared with an equal-duration bogus training condition, matched for rationale and duration but lacking its active ingredients, to unpack the contribution of shared non-specific factors.
This was followed by a stay of equal duration in the camp at Los Banos.
Time in the simulation progressed in discrete iterations corresponding to the four seasons in a year of equal duration i.e. three months.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When comparing the effectiveness of different treatments or interventions, ensure that the observation or application periods are of "an equal duration" to avoid skewed results.
Common error
Avoid assuming that because two events occurred over "an equal duration", one caused the other. Correlation does not equal causation; further analysis is needed to establish a causal link.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "an equal duration" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in describing time periods of the same length. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in scientific studies and general comparisons.
Frequent in
Science
66%
Academia
16%
News & Media
8%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
4%
Wiki
2%
Formal & Business
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "an equal duration" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly used in scientific, academic and news contexts to specify that two or more time periods are of equivalent length. While not extremely frequent, it provides a precise way to ensure fairness and comparability in various analyses and descriptions. When opting for an alternative, consider the context and desired level of formality. For instance, "same amount of time" may work better in informal conversation.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
same amount of time
Replaces "duration" with the more general term "time" and uses "amount" to emphasize quantity.
equivalent period
Substitutes "equal" with "equivalent" and "duration" with "period", maintaining the same meaning.
identical time frame
Uses "identical" to stress the sameness and "time frame" to specify a period.
matching time span
Employs "matching" to indicate similarity and "time span" to refer to the interval.
same length of time
Replaces "duration" with a more descriptive phrase "length of time".
comparable time
Uses "comparable" suggesting similarity though possibly not exact equivalence.
corresponding time
Indicates a parallel or related time, implying a connection or matching context.
a like duration
Uses "like" as a synonym for equal, offering a slightly more informal tone.
equivalent time interval
Replaces duration with time interval, stressing the start and end point of the time.
a similar time period
Suggests approximation rather than exact equality using "similar".
FAQs
How can I use "an equal duration" in a sentence?
You can use "an equal duration" to describe activities or events that last the same amount of time. For example: "The participants engaged in physical exercise and meditation for "an equal duration" of 30 minutes each".
What is a good alternative to "an equal duration"?
Alternatives to "an equal duration" include "same amount of time", "equivalent period", or "identical time frame" depending on the context.
Is it more formal to say "an equal duration" or "the same amount of time"?
"An equal duration" is slightly more formal than "the same amount of time". The choice depends on the context. Use "an equal duration" in scientific or academic writing. For general conversation, use "the same amount of time".
Which is correct: "equal duration" or "an equal duration"?
Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "an equal duration" is preferable when referring to a singular, unspecified duration. "Equal duration" is fine when speaking in generalities or as an adjective (e.g. equal duration segments).
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested