indicate how long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicate how long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to specify a duration or time frame related to an event or action. Example: "Please indicate how long the meeting will last so we can plan accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

In the store, inventory tags often indicate how long an item has been on the shelves.

Harvard University

Thus, the types of insects or eggs present in a corpse indicate how long the victim has been dead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The board did not indicate how long this policy would continue, a decision that Mr. Bernanke described as intentional.

The New York Times

Abbott, who took office in January and approved a record $800m in state border security spending earlier this year, did not indicate how long the deployment would last.

The Guardian

Besides, DrugAlert does not indicate how long ago the drug was present, or how much of it, or whether it was actually used.

The New York Times

Scientists led by Joerg Schaefer at Columbia University looked at isotopes in the rock sample that indicate how long it was ice-free.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Moreover, we indicate how long-term care providers could advance the four dimensions of demand-based care by drawing modularity principles and practices further into the operational set up of their organizations.

BMC Health Services Research

The Serpentine Gallery denies that the work's title, 512 Hours, indicates how long you will have to queue for.

The Guardian - Arts

Neither Mr. Lee nor Mr. Bush indicated how long they would be willing to give North Korea to make its declaration.

The New York Times

The ZD people have not indicated how long they plan to keep topping the Abacus solera with fresh cabernet.

The New York Times - Food

SHOULD beauty products be stamped with expiration dates like cartons of milk, indicating how long they will last before turning?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer to use "indicate how long" when you need an estimation (not necessarily precise) of a duration in time. Consider using more precise verbs when you want precision (like "calculate", "measure", etc).

Common error

Avoid using "indicate how long" when you need precise measurements. This phrase is best suited for estimations or approximations rather than exact calculations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate how long" functions primarily as a request for information, seeking to determine the duration or length of an event, process, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indicate how long" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to ask for an estimation of duration. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, with frequent usage in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI validates its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clear about what they are estimating and remember it's best for approximations, not precise measurements. Consider alternatives like "specify the duration" for more formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Specify the duration

Focuses on making the length of time clear and exact.

State the period of time

Emphasizes declaring the timeframe involved.

Clarify the length

Highlights the act of making the time extent more understandable.

Define the timeframe

Focuses on setting the boundaries of the time period.

Detail how much time

Asks for a comprehensive explanation of the time involved.

Elaborate on the duration

Suggests a more extensive explanation of the time period.

Explain the length of time

Requests a clear and understandable explanation.

Outline the time frame

Focuses on providing a structured view of the temporal boundaries.

Quantify the duration

Highlights the need to express the length of time numerically.

Pinpoint the time span

Emphasizes precision in identifying the beginning and end of the period.

FAQs

How can I use "indicate how long" in a sentence?

Use "indicate how long" when you want someone to specify a duration or timeframe, such as, "Can you please indicate how long the process will take?"

What is a more formal way to say "indicate how long"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "specify the duration" or "define the timeframe" instead of "indicate how long".

What's the difference between "indicate how long" and "denote how long"?

"Indicate how long" means to point out or show the duration, while "denote how long" ("denotes how long") means to serve as a linguistic marker or explicit representation of that duration.

Which is correct, "indicate how long" or "indicates how long"?

Both are correct depending on the context. "Indicate how long" is used with plural subjects or in the imperative mood, while "indicates how long" ("indicates how long") is used with singular subjects in the present tense.