for several weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for several weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration of time that spans multiple weeks, often in contexts discussing events, activities, or experiences. Example: "I have been training for several weeks to prepare for the marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For several weeks debate raged.

The Economist

I was a woman for several weeks.

The New Yorker

Results were not expected for several weeks.

The New York Times

May be stored for several weeks.

Cornell University

For several weeks, his training was limited.

The New York Times - Sports

For several weeks the begonias grew slowly.

The New York Times

The sale isn't for several weeks.

The New York Times - Food

Memphis pursued West for several weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

She was hospitalized for several weeks.

The New York Times

This went on for several weeks.

The New York Times

We used the plug for several weeks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for several weeks" to indicate a non-specific duration longer than a few weeks but not extending into months. It's useful when the exact duration isn't critical but the multi-week timeframe is relevant.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "for several weeks" can sound slightly informal in highly academic or professional writing. Consider using more precise language, such as "for three to five weeks", or more formal alternatives like "over the course of several weeks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for several weeks" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of duration, modifying verbs by specifying how long an action or state continues. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse sources to demonstrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

21%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for several weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a duration of time greater than a few weeks. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. According to Ludwig, it has a neutral register, but can be slightly informal in highly formal contexts. The phrase is very common with examples found from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC. When precision is necessary, consider using more specific language to indicate the timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a versatile and valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over several weeks

Changes the preposition to emphasize a period spanning across multiple weeks.

for multiple weeks

Uses "multiple" instead of "several", maintaining a similar meaning.

during several weeks

Replaces the preposition to focus on the time within multiple weeks.

in the course of several weeks

A more formal alternative emphasizing the progression of time.

for a number of weeks

More verbose but maintains the same meaning, using "a number of" instead of "several".

for a few weeks

Uses "a few" instead of "several" to suggest a shorter, less precise duration.

spanning several weeks

Emphasizes the period of time "several weeks" encompasses.

across several weeks

Emphasizes the spread or distribution over the period of multiple weeks.

lasting several weeks

Highlights the duration or continuation of something over multiple weeks.

throughout several weeks

Indicates something occurring consistently during the weeks.

FAQs

How can I use "for several weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "for several weeks" to indicate a period of time lasting more than a few weeks. For example, "The treatment lasted "for several weeks"", or "I studied the data "for several weeks" before drawing a conclusion".

What phrases are similar to "for several weeks"?

Similar phrases include "over several weeks", "for a few weeks", or "during several weeks". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "for several weeks" or "for multiple weeks"?

Both "for several weeks" and "for multiple weeks" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "For several weeks" is slightly more common and generally preferred, but "for multiple weeks" is also perfectly acceptable.

When should I avoid using "for several weeks"?

Avoid using "for several weeks" when you need to specify a precise duration. In those cases, it's better to use a more specific timeframe, such as "for three weeks" or "for six weeks".