it spans over

USAGE SUMMARY

'it spans over' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is often used to express that something covers a wide range of time or space. For example, "This novel spans over two decades, beginning in the 1980s and ending in the 21st century."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Asian-inspired and specialising in thalassotherapy - treatments that use seawater, marine mud, and other oceanic elements - it spans over 20,000 square feet.

Huffington Post

It spans over two years and gives a whole new, diabolical meaning to the belief that love is a transformative experience.

Huffington Post

It spans over a long weekend that includes theme nights at local clubs (Eurovision night!), performances (this year Agnetha from ABBA headlined!) and a giant parade that treks across the city.

Huffington Post

In today's instant gratification world where books can become available almost as soon as they are written, I thought I'd share my journey as a writer, but since it spans over 20 years, I will need to do it in installments.

Huffington Post

The structure of the HPSE gene is represented in Figure  7; it spans over 50 kb and consists of 14 exons [ 19].

BMC Cancer

The key feature that made this data set the best available for our study is that it spans over several stages of the life cycle relevant for the classification.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This year, the time period from injury to MRI to surgery was consolidated to less than four weeks; last year, it spanned over four months.

Huffington Post

This A-scan portion is detailed in Fig. 4 where it horizontally spans over 64 pixels corresponding to an optical depth of 275 μm.

Biomedical Optics Express

It spans 1.5 mile over a nearly flat alluvial valley floor between bedrock abutment ridges.

Wikipedia

It spans 468 stations and over 600 miles of track, pulsing through four of New York City's five boroughs as the great uniter of the area.

The New York Times

Against a backdrop of rose-petal music, it spans four minutes panning over perfectly parked cars, in a perfectly manicured parking lot, with people strolling toward the sparkling new stadium along tree-lined walkways.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it spans over", ensure the subject clearly refers to a defined entity, such as a time period, distance, or range. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. While "it spans over" is acceptable, sometimes "it spans" is sufficient and more concise. Consider whether "over" adds necessary meaning or if it can be omitted without loss of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it spans over" typically functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It describes the extent or duration of something, indicating the range or period that something covers. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it spans over" is a grammatically sound way to describe the extent, duration, or range of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. While the phrase is correct, writers should consider if the "over" is necessary or if "it spans" is sufficient for conciseness. Its use is relatively uncommon, appearing in science, news and media contexts. When using "it spans over", ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it extends across

Focuses on the physical or abstract reach of something across a space or concept.

it covers a duration of

Specifically emphasizes the length of time that something encompasses.

it encompasses more than

Highlights the inclusive nature and the quantity involved.

it ranges throughout

Suggests a variation or distribution within a defined scope.

it stretches beyond

Implies exceeding a certain limit or boundary.

it reaches across

Similar to 'extends across' but can emphasize the effort to reach a destination.

it runs through

Suggests something that is included in a list of parameters or set.

it traverses through

Suggests something that literally passes through or across something else.

it occupies a space of

Emphasizes the space or amount something fills or takes up.

it includes

Focuses on listing all the specific components that form the entire thing being described.

FAQs

How can I use "it spans over" in a sentence?

Use "it spans over" to describe the extent or duration of something. For instance, "The project "it spans over" three years", or "The mountain range "it spans over" a large area".

What are some alternatives to using "it spans over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it extends across", "it covers a duration of", or "it encompasses more than".

Is it grammatically correct to say "it spans over"?

Yes, the phrase "it spans over" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, in some cases, "it spans" might be a more concise option.

What is the difference between "it spans" and "it spans over"?

While both are correct, "it spans" is often more direct. "It spans over" can sometimes emphasize the extent or reach, but the "over" might be redundant. Choose the phrasing that best fits the context and desired emphasis.