for the duration of

USAGE SUMMARY

"for the duration of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time (such as a month or a year) during which something happens or exists. For example: "We will remain closed for the duration of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They will be sequestered for the duration of the trial.

The New York Times

They suspended rivalries for the duration of the disturbances.

The Guardian

David was abroad for the duration of the war.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dessain calls her Madame for the duration of the holiday.

The New Yorker

Vouchers for economy car hire from Marseille airport for the duration of the holiday are included.

The Guardian - Travel

The others received the same asbos but for the duration of five years.

The Guardian - Business

But let's – oh, just for the duration of this column – play along.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or introducing special World Cup courts for the duration of the tournament.

The Guardian

But that was only ever for the duration of the sessions.

The Guardian - Music

Then, for the duration of Cook It Raw, you erase that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But for the duration of the night, all that emerged from the kitchen was water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for the duration of", ensure the time period is clearly defined or easily understood from the context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "of" with other prepositions like "in" or "at". "For the duration of" is the correct and idiomatic form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the duration of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a time period. It modifies a verb or noun, indicating when something happens or for how long it lasts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for the duration of" is a prepositional phrase used to define a specific period of time during which something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It's prevalent in various contexts, especially in news and media, to specify temporal boundaries. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the time period to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives exist, such as "throughout the period of" or "during the time of", "for the duration of" remains a clear and effective choice for denoting the length of an event or state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the entirety of

Emphasizes the completeness of the time period.

throughout the period of

Replaces "duration" with "period", offering a slightly more formal tone.

through the whole of

Similar to "entirety", but slightly more emphatic.

for the span of

Emphasizes the length of time involved.

for the term of

Suitable when referencing legally or formally defined periods.

during the time of

Uses simpler vocabulary, making it slightly less formal.

over the course of

Highlights the progression or development during the time period.

lasting the length of

Focuses on the length as a key characteristic.

from start to finish of

Highlights the beginning and end points of the time period.

while something lasts

More conversational and less precise in defining the timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "for the duration of" in a sentence?

Use "for the duration of" to specify the period during which something occurs or remains in effect. For example, "The library will be closed "for the duration of" the renovations."

What phrases are similar to "for the duration of"?

Similar phrases include "throughout the period of", "during the time of", and "for the span of". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "during the duration of"?

While understandable, "during the duration of" is somewhat redundant. It's generally better to use ""for the duration of"" or simply "during" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "for the duration of" and "throughout"?

"For the duration of" emphasizes a specific timeframe with a defined start and end, while "throughout" implies continuous action or presence across a period. For example, "for the duration of the meeting" versus "throughout the year".