an unquantified time span

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unquantified time span" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a duration of time that has not been measured or specified in exact terms. Example: "The project will take an unquantified time span to complete, as we are still assessing the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A pregnancy with several serological checks is not a time point but a time span.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Such a large time span can be a challenge for LSTMs.

TechCrunch

"Mr. Dior was very innovative during a short time span.

The New York Times

That might sound like a short time span, he says, but translated to human life span that's 25 years.

Nature

RGI: The averaged RGI data for a given time span.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Our review focused on 1990 2015 as a reasonable time span.

Fashion and Textiles

It is too short a time span to tell.

The Guardian - Arts

Evolution cannot be measured in a time span that short.

The New Yorker

h, Superimposed trajectories over a 30-min time span recording.

Nature

Allocate a time span to each thing you've listed.

WikiHow

The time span suggested a possible identity for the corpses.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unquantified time span" when you want to acknowledge that the exact duration is unknown or not yet determined. This is especially useful in project planning or scientific studies where precise timing is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "an unquantified time span" when you mean "an unquantifiable time span." "Unquantified" means the duration hasn't been measured, while "unquantifiable" means it's impossible to measure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unquantified time span" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a duration of time that hasn't been precisely measured or determined. Ludwig indicates it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unquantified time span" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a duration of time that hasn't been specifically measured or determined. As Ludwig notes, the phrase is acceptable and understandable in written English. While its frequency is low, it appears in various contexts, often in professional, scientific, or news-related discussions where acknowledging uncertainty in duration is necessary. When writing, ensure that you're referring to a time period that is truly unmeasured and not simply immeasurable, and consider using alternative phrases like "an unspecified duration" for clarity or variety. Based on the absence of exact matches and on Ludwig AI analysis it's confirmed that this expression is valid and correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unspecified duration

Focuses on the lack of specification of the time period.

an indeterminate time frame

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of defined limits.

an unknown length of time

Emphasizes the lack of knowledge regarding the duration.

an unmeasured period

Implies that the time has not been or cannot be measured.

an immeasurable time span

Suggests that the time span is so vast or vague as to be impossible to measure.

an undefined time period

Similar to "unspecified duration" but uses "period" instead of "duration".

an open-ended timeframe

Indicates that there is no set end point for the duration.

an estimated duration

Suggests there is some guess of the duration, without having an exact specification of it

a rough timeframe

Indicates that the timeframe is estimated with some uncertainty.

a tentative period

Emphasizes the provisional and uncertain nature of the time period.

FAQs

How can I use "an unquantified time span" in a sentence?

You can use "an unquantified time span" when referring to a period whose length is not specifically measured or known. For example: "The completion of the research project is projected to take "an unspecified duration", as the variables involved remain under observation."

What's the difference between "an unquantified time span" and "an unknown duration"?

"An unquantified time span" highlights that the period has not been measured or determined, while "an unknown duration" simply states that the length of time is not known. They are semantically similar but emphasize different aspects of the lack of knowledge. You could also say "an indeterminate time frame".

Which is more appropriate in formal writing, "an unquantified time span" or "an estimated duration"?

In formal writing, "an unquantified time span" is suitable when emphasizing the lack of precise measurement, whereas "an estimated duration" suggests that there's some approximation or guess. Use the phrasing that best fits the context and the message you intend to convey, or opt for "a tentative period".

What can I say instead of "an unquantified time span" to sound less technical?

For less technical alternatives, you can use phrases like "an unknown period", "an indefinite time", or "a yet-to-be-determined duration", or "a rough timeframe".