for a substantial duration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a substantial duration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant length of time during which something occurs or is true. Example: "The project was delayed for a substantial duration due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, most of these patients continued on antipsychotic polypharmacy for a substantial duration and only a small proportion of those patients (30%) were deemed to have gone through medication changes as polypharmacy ceased within the first 60 days after medication initiation.

BMC Psychiatry

Moreover, the interventions (particularly those belonging to Avahan) were in place for substantial duration in 2009-10 when second round of the survey was undertaken.

BMC Public Health

The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder require that mood episodes be present for a substantial portion of the duration of the illness [ 12].

BMC Psychiatry

With a few exceptions, recovery studies did not monitor vegetation for substantial durations, thus limiting adequate evaluation of the recovery trajectory.

AoB PLANTS

that symptoms that meet criteria for a mood episode are present for a substantial portion of the total duration of the active and residual periods of the illness.

BMC Psychiatry

According to the clinical history of the longitudinal course of the disorder available at the time of admission, a mood episode must not have been present for a substantial portion of the total duration of the active and residual periods of the illness – thus not meeting the C-criterion of schizoaffective disorder [ 23].

BMC Psychiatry

While this might be a significant factor in brain examinations that include dynamic PET measurements of substantial duration, the increase in scan time for the head and neck region is much less pronounced.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Bearing in mind the increase in the proportion of patients in this group (from 8.4%too 10.2%), the increase in the duration of prescriptions in the chronic treatment group is responsible for a substantial increase in the overall prescribing volume.

British Medical Journal

That makes for a substantial imprint.

The New Yorker

Searching for a substantial New York book list?

The New Yorker

Prosecutors had asked for a "substantial" sentence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a substantial duration" when you want to emphasize that something lasted a notably long time, especially in formal or scientific writing. It's more emphatic than "for a long time".

Common error

Avoid using "for a substantial duration" in very informal contexts. Phrases like "for a while" or "for a long time" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a substantial duration" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It specifies the length of time an action, state, or condition persists. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a substantial duration" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a considerable length of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is best suited for formal, scientific, or professional contexts where precise language is valued. While effective in these settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal communication. The phrase effectively highlights the significance of extended timeframes in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a considerable time

Replaces "substantial duration" with "considerable time", maintaining the same meaning.

for a significant period

Substitutes "substantial duration" with "significant period", offering a slightly more formal tone.

for an extended duration

Uses "extended" instead of "substantial", emphasizing the length of the time.

over a lengthy period

Changes the preposition and uses "lengthy period" instead of "substantial duration".

for a prolonged time

Replaces "substantial duration" with "prolonged time", suggesting a longer-than-usual duration.

for a good while

Offers a more informal alternative, replacing "substantial duration" with a colloquial expression.

for an appreciable amount of time

Replaces "substantial duration" with a more descriptive and somewhat more formal phrase.

during an extensive period

Swaps "for" with "during" and uses "extensive period" instead of "substantial duration".

for a drawn-out period

Emphasizes the length and possibly tedious nature of the duration.

over an important period

Emphasizes the importance of the duration of time.

FAQs

How can I use "for a substantial duration" in a sentence?

You can use "for a substantial duration" to indicate that something lasted a significantly long time. For example: "The study followed participants "for a substantial duration" to observe long-term effects."

What are some alternatives to "for a substantial duration"?

Some alternatives include "for a considerable time", "for a significant period", or "for an extended period". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "for a substantial duration" formal or informal?

"For a substantial duration" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "for a long time" or "for a good while" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "for a substantial duration" and "for a long time"?

"For a substantial duration" emphasizes that the period was noticeably long or significant. "For a long time" is a more general and less emphatic way to express a similar idea.