duration

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "duration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "duration" to refer to the amount of time something lasts or continues. For example, "The duration of the concert was two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What the duration of this recession surely shows is how dysfunctional the three interlocking pillars of British capitalism have become.

The Guardian - Opinion

"For the full duration of the in-breath and the full duration of the out-breath".

The Guardian

Salmond, almost visibly relieved that his self-imposed campaigning ban for the duration of the Games was drawing to an end, replied with a smile: "Ask me tomorrow".

The Guardian - Sport

When Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova arrive in their colony they will be taken immediately into a quarantine block to be assessed to determine which otryad, or detachment, they will join for the duration of their sentence.

The Guardian

Back then my feeling for Origin was visceral and my heart rate for the duration of any match was, I'm quite certain, higher than for any of the players (except maybe Chris Close; he was always sucking in seagulls as they say).

The Guardian - Sport

Part of it has to do with underestimating its duration while overestimating our stamina.

The Guardian - Opinion

(If you're not sure what your race pace is, it's simple to work out – it's the speed you could maintain for the duration of your event. For Olympic distance triathletes, it's the pace you could ride for 40km; for sprint racers, it's the pace you could ride over 20km).

The Guardian - Sport

Sucheta Nadkarni, professor at Cambridge University's Judge Business School and lead author of the report, said female economic power boosted the number of women on boards and the duration of their tenure: "If markets become more gender inclusive, that is the incentive for boards to become more gender inclusive".

The Guardian - Business

The three of us met in her Knightsbridge hotel, where she was to stay for the duration of the election campaign.

The Guardian

The National Sleep Foundation in the US has had 18 experts sifting through 320 research articles to deliver an updated version of its "sleep time duration recommendations".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Former NSW energy minister Chris Hartcher and MPs Chris Spence and Darren Webber – all allegedly involved in Eightbyfive – have voluntarily withdrawn from the Liberal party and are sitting on the crossbenches for the duration of the Icac hearings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "duration" to describe the length of contracts, projects, or any activity with a defined beginning and end.

Common error

Avoid using "duration" when "timing" is more appropriate. "Duration" refers to the length of time something lasts, while "timing" refers to when something occurs. For example, use "timing of the event" instead of "duration of the event" if you are referring to when the event will happen, not how long it will last.

Linguistic Context

The word "duration" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the length of time something lasts or continues. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It can be used to describe the length of events, periods, or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "duration" is a versatile noun referring to the length of time something lasts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific writing, "duration" serves to specify time spans, aiding clarity in communication. Related phrases include "length of time" and "time span". When using "duration", ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and avoid redundancy by omitting superfluous phrases like "during the duration". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "duration" in your writing to convey precise information about time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

length of time

This alternative directly replaces "duration" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the time aspect.

time span

This phrase emphasizes the interval between two points in time, similar to "duration".

period

A more general term that can refer to a specific length of time.

timeframe

This alternative suggests a defined period within which something occurs.

course

Implies the progression or extent of time during which something happens or exists.

extent

This refers to the degree or scope to which something lasts or continues.

continuance

Highlights the ongoing nature of something over a period.

term

This suggests a fixed or specified period.

lifespan

This alternative refers specifically to the length of time something is alive or functional.

timeframe

Highlights time boundaries.

FAQs

How is "duration" used in a sentence?

Use "duration" to specify the length of time something continues, like "The "duration of the flight" was six hours" or "The "duration of the meeting" is one hour".

What are some synonyms for "duration"?

Alternatives to "duration" include "length of time", "time span", "period", or "timeframe", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "during the duration"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "during the duration" can be redundant. It's often clearer and more concise to simply use "during" followed by the event or period, or rewrite the sentence to use "duration" effectively. For example, instead of "during the duration of the class", say "during the class".

What's the difference between "duration" and "period"?

"Duration" refers specifically to the length of time something lasts. "Period" is a broader term that can refer to any portion of time, whether of a specific or unspecified length. Using the term "time period", for example, is a way of more clearly specifying some time of the time frame.