expanse of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"expanse of time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a length of time that is very long, or to refer to the passing of a long period of time. For example: "The last year felt like an expanse of time, with so much changing and so many new experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Adolescence evolved over a vast expanse of time when survival at any age was a crapshoot.

The New Yorker

"Life Story" involves a more audacious expanse of time and space, but it's very definitely about our home.

The New Yorker

Over a vast expanse of time, we mastered fire, increased our ability to coöperate with one another, and, almost incredibly, invented language.

The New Yorker

By Sarah Larson October 8, 2015 "Life Story" involves an audacious expanse of time and space, but it's very definitely about our home.

The New Yorker

In summer we search for a kind of stasis -- an uninterrupted expanse of time, even if it only lasts for part of an afternoon now and then.

The New York Times

There's an additional tweak of reality: Sheil, a marvellous actress with a CV of terrific microbudget productions, is presented, in Greene's scenario, as having a wide expanse of time to visit libraries, shops and relevant locations in Sarasota.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The state's fossils and quarries offer traces of extraordinary expanses of time in an unusually compressed space.

The New York Times - Arts

The expanses of time in which there was this grandfather appeared endless when I was in them.

The New Yorker

Mr. Satoh is interested in music's ability to fill expanses of time and create spiritual states.

The New York Times - Arts

Humans are really bad at training their intuition to correctly assess propositions whose cause and effect are separated by vast expanses of time and space.

The Guardian - Tech

But after hours on the air, the anchors and reporters, accustomed to shoehorning stories into short segments, struggled to fill the vast expanses of time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expanse of time", consider the context to ensure it effectively conveys the intended meaning of a prolonged or significant duration. It is often used to emphasize the vastness or importance of the period being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "expanse of time" when simply referring to a short or insignificant duration. The phrase implies a substantial and often impactful period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expanse of time" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It emphasizes the duration or extent of a particular time period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expanse of time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that signifies a significant or prolonged duration. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for written English and can be used to emphasize the length and impact of a specific period. While alternatives such as "duration of time" or "period of time" exist, "expanse of time" carries a connotation of vastness or importance, making it particularly useful when highlighting the extensive nature of a time frame. As demonstrated by the examples provided, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its versatility and widespread application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stretch of time

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the time period, similar to "expanse".

span of time

Highlights the overall reach or extent of the time period.

duration of time

Replaces "expanse" with "duration", focusing on the length of the period.

period of time

Substitutes "expanse" with "period", a more general term for an interval.

length of time

Focuses specifically on the measurable length of the time period.

course of time

Emphasizes the progression and unfolding of events over a period.

timeframe

A single-word alternative indicating a defined period for an event or process.

era

Refers to a distinct period characterized by particular features.

age

Indicates a lengthy period, often associated with historical or geological divisions.

aeon

Represents an immeasurably long period, often used in geological or cosmological contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "expanse of time" in a sentence?

You can use "expanse of time" to refer to a long duration, as in "The project required a vast "expanse of time" to complete".

What are some alternatives to "expanse of time"?

Alternatives include "duration of time", "period of time", or "stretch of time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "expanse of time" in formal writing?

Yes, "expanse of time" is suitable for formal writing and can add emphasis to the length and significance of a particular period.

How does "expanse of time" differ from "amount of time"?

"Expanse of time" suggests a vast or significant duration, while "amount of time" is a more neutral term simply referring to a quantity of time.