extend the period

USAGE SUMMARY

"extend the period" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to make the duration of something longer or to prolong it. Example: The company has decided to extend the period for submitting project proposals by two weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Drug companies exploit patent laws to extend the period they charge monopoly prices for medicines.

The New York Times

But we're meeting with planners and hopefully we will extend the period".

The Guardian

Prescribed fire may extend the period between thinnings, he said, but not by much.

The New York Times - Science

(ii) A request to extend the period to negotiate a trail use agreement $500.

Cornell University

I asked HSBC if it would extend the period of the mortgage offer and it agreed.

Independent

But in 2010 English UK lobbied UKBA to extend the period that SVV holders could stay in the country.

The Guardian

Another approach is to extend the period of a drug's market exclusivity to compensate for the commercialization lag.

The New York Times

Provided, That the Department of Veterans Affairs may, for good and sufficient reasons, extend the period of the commitment.

Cornell University

The reallotment of funds under paragraph (1) shall not extend the period for which such funds are available for expenditure.

Cornell University

The finance ministers also discussed possible concessions to extend the period over which Greece must repay its loans.

The New York Times

Using them in a well-drained potting mixture can extend the period you don't need to water by two or three days at most.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what "period" you are referring to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "extend the period", say "extend the payment period".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without clearly specifying what period is being extended. For instance, saying "they decided to extend the period" is unclear. Instead, clarify: "They decided to extend the trial period".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend the period" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of making a specific timeframe or duration longer. It's commonly used in various contexts to indicate a prolongation of something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extend the period" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe making a timeframe longer. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While the phrase is clear and understandable, being specific about which "period" is being extended enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like ""prolong the duration"" for a more formal tone, and always ensure the context is clear to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prolong the duration

Focuses on making the duration longer, similar to extending it.

lengthen the timeframe

Uses different nouns to convey the same concept of making something last longer.

increase the duration

Uses "increase" as a synonym for "extend", emphasizing the increase in length.

expand the timeline

Focuses on widening the scope of a planned time sequence.

draw out the process

Implies making a process take longer, often suggesting it might be unnecessarily long.

stretch the deadline

Specifically refers to making a deadline further away.

continue the term

Suggests allowing a specific term or period to persist.

elongate the interval

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the same idea.

perpetuate the phase

Suggests keeping a particular phase or stage going.

sustain the activity

Focuses on maintaining an activity for a longer time.

FAQs

How can I use "extend the period" in a sentence?

You can use "extend the period" to indicate making a duration longer, as in "The company decided to "extend the period" for returns due to customer feedback".

What's a formal alternative to "extend the period"?

A more formal alternative is to "prolong the duration", which conveys a similar meaning in a more sophisticated tone.

How does "extend the period" differ from "lengthen the period"?

"Extend the period" and "lengthen the period" are largely interchangeable, both indicating an increase in duration. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

Is it correct to say "extent the period" instead of "extend the period"?

No, "extent the period" is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""extend the period"", using "extend" as the verb.