for the span of

USAGE SUMMARY

'for the span of' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time, for example: "She was absent from school for the span of two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The trend continued for the span of the competition.

The New York Times

But such observations cannot establish a fixed limit for the span of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If life can imitate art even for the span of an exhibition, that is no bad thing.

The Economist

She changed my way of directing, and I'd like to work with her for the span of a lifetime.

The New York Times

Thus, based on existing knowledge of longevity, a precise figure for the span of human life cannot be given.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or, at least, they are so for the span of their spring break before heading back to their lives relatively unscathed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

For instance, the span of the FSVR analyzer is listed as 40 MHz in Table2 because this is its maximum real-time span in FFT mode.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But the priests of the parish, going back for longer than the span of Prunty's lifetime, had been well known to Father Meade.

The New Yorker

What makes this film so attractive for marketers is the span of generations it already touches and the potential to add to that.

The New York Times

Even with selection carried out in a controlled manner by an expert researcher, the prospects for change during the span of a human lifetime are modest.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The outcome of that vote settled the direction of American foreign policy for two decades, the span of a generation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for the span of", ensure the time period you're referring to is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This adds precision to your writing and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "for the span of" in simple sentences where a more concise preposition like "during" or "for" would suffice. Overusing longer phrases can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the span of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to specify a duration or extent. Ludwig AI indicates this is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for the span of" is a prepositional phrase used to define the duration of an event or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Analysis of examples reveals its common usage in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While effective for specifying time periods, consider more concise alternatives like "during" in simpler contexts. When using "for the span of", make sure the time frame you're referring to is relevant and clear. The phrase is frequently employed by reputable sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the length of

Focuses on the physical or conceptual extension in time.

for the duration of

Directly states the length of time something lasts.

during the period of

Focuses on the time frame within which something occurs.

during the time of

Indicates when events happen within a set time.

over the course of

Emphasizes a progression or development during a time interval.

throughout the duration of

Highlights the entirety of the time period.

in the time frame of

Slightly more succinct way of expressing the same concept as 'within the timeframe of'.

within the timeframe of

Specifies an established period.

covering the period of

Highlights the time range included.

across the timeline of

Suggests progression through a sequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "for the span of" to indicate the duration of an event or activity, such as: "The exhibition was open "for the span of" three months".

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

Similar phrases include "during the period of", "over the course of", or "for the duration of", each emphasizing different aspects of the time period.

Is it better to use "for the span of" or "during"?

While both are correct, "during" is often more concise. Use "for the span of" when you want to emphasize the entire duration or length of time, or to add a more formal tone.

What is the difference between "for the span of" and "throughout"?

"Throughout" indicates something happening at intervals during a period, whereas "for the span of" refers to the entire duration. For example, "The rain fell throughout the day" versus "The event lasted "for the span of" one hour".