breadth of times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breadth of times" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when discussing the vastness or variety of different historical periods or experiences. Example: "The breadth of times we have explored in this course has given us a deeper understanding of human history."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It will become respectable, anew, to acknowledge that art communicates primarily through made and, yes, precious things, in depth of experience and breadth of time.

The New Yorker

But that hair's breadth of time also gives high-frequency traders an opportunity to make a tidy profit off what amounts to insider information.

The New York Times

In the morning, the hours and minutes will reassert themselves and this seemingly limitless breadth of time will seem unreal and unreachable — the dream of boundless time, dreamed from the confines of an egg carton.

The New Yorker

See how that works?) Today I am a genuine, often pleasant person, I do solid work for a reputable organization and have, over the breadth of time, proved to be an attentive father and husband.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tilda Swinton would be another glorious Doctor – she has the quality of seeming unreadable even while conveying that much is going on beneath the surface, the perfect combination for a centuries-old being who has seen the breadth of time and space.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And as is so often the case in such moments, the spotlight of public opinion is focused on what may seem to be the critical debates of the day, yet which in the breadth of time are seen as merely blips on the radar screens of yesteryear.

Huffington Post

With tears trickling down his cheeks, he continued, "Not just now, when it might seem more appropriate, but almost the entire length and breadth of my time at CBS, I'd think, What if this is the last time?" Ken Auletta began contributing to The New Yorker in 1977 and has written the Annals of Communications column since 1993.

The New Yorker

With tears trickling down his cheeks, he continued, "Not just now, when it might seem more appropriate, but almost the entire length and breadth of my time at CBS, I'd think, What if this is the last time?" On the door to Dan Rather's office at CBS are two fading gold lines of script: "Go tell the Spartans, thou who passest by, / That here, obedient to their laws, we lie".

The New Yorker

Walkinshaw imagines hundreds of PocketQubes linking together in space and gathering a breadth of real-time data which bulky traditional satellites could never provide.

The Guardian - Tech

We investigate such factors as advocacy, breadth of support, time of adoption, and intra-organizational communications.

Information & Management

Within this small sample, the studies that undertook some form of consultation did not appear to differ from those that did not on their breadth of focus, time of inception, current age of participants, or size of cohort although larger cohorts more often had a formal approach to consultation.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using alternatives like "extensive period" or "wide range of eras" instead of "breadth of times", as the latter is less common and may sound awkward to some readers.

Common error

Avoid using "breadth of times" in informal contexts. Opt for more common and natural-sounding expressions like "long time" or "many years" in casual conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breadth of times" functions as a noun phrase, aiming to describe a wide scope or range relating to temporal entities. It can be used to emphasize the extensiveness or comprehensive nature of a period.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "breadth of times" is not a frequently used expression in contemporary English. As Ludwig AI underlines, it may sound somewhat awkward to a modern ear. Its intended purpose is to denote a wide scope or extensive duration related to time. Given its relatively infrequent usage, writers should exercise caution and consider whether more common alternatives, such as "extensive period" or "wide range of eras", would better serve their communication goals. While the phrase isn't incorrect, clarity and naturalness should be prioritized in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive period

Replaces "breadth" with "extensive", focusing on the length of the period.

wide range of eras

Substitutes "breadth" with "wide range" and "times" with "eras", emphasizing the variety of periods.

broad historical scope

Emphasizes the historical perspective using "broad scope" instead of "breadth of times".

vast expanse of history

Uses "vast expanse" to convey the scope and "history" in place of "times", highlighting the historical context.

comprehensive timeframe

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal term for a period.

long duration

Focuses on the length of time, replacing "breadth" with "long" and "times" with "duration".

sweeping historical survey

Implies a thorough overview of a large historical period.

extended historical arc

Highlights the development and progression over a significant time.

complete historical spectrum

Focuses on all periods being included in the range.

inclusive historical timeline

Specifies a timeline that does not exclude any historical periods.

FAQs

What does "breadth of times" mean?

While not a common phrase, "breadth of times" could refer to a wide range or extensive duration of historical periods or experiences. It emphasizes the vastness of the timeframe considered.

Are there better alternatives to "breadth of times"?

Yes, alternatives like "extensive period", "wide range of eras", or "long duration" are generally clearer and more commonly used.

In what contexts can I use "breadth of times"?

If you choose to use it, "breadth of times" might be appropriate in formal writing where you want to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the historical scope. However, consider whether a clearer alternative would serve your purpose better.

How can I make sure I'm using the phrase correctly?

Due to its uncommon nature, carefully consider the context and audience. Ensure that the intended meaning is clear and that a more common phrase wouldn't be more effective. Review your writing to see if an alternative strengthens your message.