at a stretch

USAGE SUMMARY

'at a stretch' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe when something is done for a period of time without interruption, for example: "Sitting at a stretch for five hours was exhausting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This theory allowed me to forget about nutrition for years at a stretch.

The New York Times

Thirty at a stretch.

The New Yorker

At a stretch, yes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Killington, maybe, at a stretch.

The New York Times

At a stretch, she died of heartbreak.

The Guardian - Books

(Or, at a stretch, in a hotel in Europe).

The New Yorker

Can't sleep more than eight hours at a stretch.

The New Yorker

She speaks in torrents, ten minutes at a stretch.

The New Yorker

That's all he saw for hours at a stretch.

The New Yorker

That is now three to seven days at a stretch.

The New York Times

He no longer operates for so long at a stretch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a stretch" to clearly convey that an activity or state occurs continuously without interruption. This is particularly effective when emphasizing duration or endurance.

Common error

Avoid using "at a stretch" when you simply mean 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. The phrase specifically implies a continuous, unbroken duration, not sporadic instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a stretch" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the duration or manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used, especially to indicate an uninterrupted period of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a stretch" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating an uninterrupted period of time or, less commonly, something that requires a degree of imagination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media, emphasizing continuity and duration. While versatile, it's important to reserve it for situations where continuous, unbroken duration is truly intended, and remember it also has a secondary meaning of 'if pushed'. Knowing its connotations and usage patterns can help you use it effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-stop

Emphasizes the ceaseless nature of an action, similar to doing something "at a stretch".

without a break

Focuses on the lack of pauses, similar to continuous work or activity.

without interruption

Highlights the lack of breaks, emphasizing endurance like "at a stretch".

for a prolonged period

Highlights the length of time, similar to enduring something "at a stretch".

continuously

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the action, similar to doing something "at a stretch".

in one go

Emphasizes completing something in a single attempt, similar to a continuous effort.

at one time

Highlights simultaneous action, similar to doing something "at a stretch".

at the most

Emphasizes the maximum limit, similar to stretching something as far as it can go.

if pushed

Indicates a concession under pressure, similar to stretching a point.

with some imagination

Highlights the use of ingenuity, similar to stretching logic or a scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "at a stretch" in a sentence?

You can use "at a stretch" to indicate a continuous period of time. For example, "He worked for ten hours "at a stretch"."

What's a similar phrase to "at a stretch" that I could use?

Alternatives to "at a stretch" include phrases like "continuously", "without interruption", or "non-stop", depending on the specific context.

Is "at a stretch" formal or informal?

"At a stretch" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news, media, and general conversation rather than highly formal academic writing.

When is it appropriate to use "at a stretch" to mean 'with some imagination' or 'if pushed'?

The usage of "at a stretch" to mean 'with some imagination' or 'if pushed' is valid when indicating a situation requires a degree of interpretation or leniency, such as "At a stretch, one could argue Henner is doing something similar."