for twelve months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for twelve months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to specify a duration of time, often in contexts related to contracts, agreements, or timeframes for projects. Example: "The lease agreement is valid for twelve months, starting from the date of signing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The measures will initially apply for twelve months, starting tomorrow.

The Guardian

For twelve months, Fearnley-Whittingstall was in culinary heaven.

The New Yorker

On October 2nd, she was sentenced to six months in prison, again suspended for twelve months.

The New Yorker

In February police officer Keith Wallis was jailed for twelve months for lying about witnessing the incident.

Independent

There's a huge difference between stacking shelves in Tesco for twelve months and working on an Aids project in Africa.

The Guardian - Money

For twelve months now, Romney has been leading the New Hampshire polls by between twenty and thirty points.

The New Yorker

In October last year, a Lancashire man, Donald Allison, was jailed for twelve months as he tried to smuggle two horns into Asia.

The Guardian

Our Maecenas also got huffy, and announced the following year that the Prix Novembre would be suspended for twelve months, so that we could discuss its future direction.

The New Yorker

"You have construction workers who are idle, and they're going to be idle for twelve months, twenty-four months, thirty-six months," he said.

The New Yorker

"And I have convinced myself that I am some sort of sage, because I've been alone for twelve months and I feel that I've been through this rite of passage, and I've become a man.

The New Yorker

I can raise the cash to pay for the special Exec-U-Scapes "Get Out of Jail Free" option, good for twelve months in any Latin American country without a bicameral legislature.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying durations in formal documents, use "for twelve months" for clarity and precision. In more casual contexts, "for a year" may be sufficient.

Common error

Be aware of whether you're referring to a calendar year (January to December) or a fiscal year, which can start at any point in the year. Using "for twelve months" doesn't inherently clarify this, so provide context if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for twelve months" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the duration of an action, event, or state. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for twelve months" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a specific duration of time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and commonly used phrase. Its usage spans across various contexts, most prominently in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When writing, remember to consider the context to determine if "for twelve months" or a more general alternative like "over a year" is most suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over a year

Emphasizes the duration as spanning across a yearly period.

during a year

Focuses on the action occurring within the confines of a single year.

throughout the year

Highlights the continuity of the action or state over the entire year.

for a period of one year

Formal and precise restatement of the duration.

in the course of a year

Suggests that events happen as a natural progression during the year.

spanning a year

Emphasizes the duration as covering or including a full year.

for 365 days

A more precise way to specify the duration, useful when accuracy is needed.

across the span of a year

Highlights the breadth and extent of the time period.

covering a twelve-month period

Focuses on the period being encompassed by the activity or event.

during the annual cycle

Implies a recurring cycle or event that happens each year.

FAQs

How can I use "for twelve months" in a sentence?

You can use "for twelve months" to specify a period of time, such as "The contract is valid "for twelve months"." or "The data was collected "for twelve months"."

What are some alternatives to saying "for twelve months"?

Alternatives include /s/over+a+year, /s/during+a+year, or /s/throughout+the+year depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "for twelve months" or "for a year"?

While both are correct, "for twelve months" is often preferred in legal or formal contexts where precision is important. "For a year" is more common in general usage.

Does "for twelve months" imply a continuous period?

Yes, "for twelve months" generally implies a continuous, uninterrupted period. If the period is not continuous, it's better to specify the total duration, such as "over the course of a year" with intermittent activities.