large spans of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large spans of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to extended periods or durations in various contexts, such as history, personal experiences, or scientific discussions. Example: "The study revealed that large spans of time were necessary for the species to adapt to their changing environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I like to think in large spans of time.

The New York Times

Most notably, Immanuel Wallerstein extends Marx's theoretical frame to include large spans of time and the entire globe in what is known as world systems theory.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The two forms are separated by a great geographic distance and by a large span of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The large span of time between the 82-year-old pope's trips and the close proximity of the destinations suggests the degree to which his ailments, including Parkinson's disease, have limited him.

The New York Times

AC: The songs on this record were one by one, written over a large span of time.

Huffington Post

Ideally, anyone who has PureWrist will use it all the time, which means charities could accrue many small donations over a large span of time.

Huffington Post

There was not a large span of time between her time with Shane and then Rick's return and her time with Rick.

Wikipedia

Firstly, the studies cover a large span of time from 1971 to 2007 with different observational and comparison periods.

BMC Nephrology

It would contribute to shaping retention interventions based on representative opinions of nurses themselves, whatever their current sector/type of activity, over a large span of time (up to 40 years).

BMC Health Services Research

Do you prepare large reports to cover a big span of time so that you can see the evolution?

Huffington Post

Further, microbial data are currently available for discrete times and places [354]; integrating them meaningfully with species inventories over large spans of space and time is one of the great challenges, because it is through these small organisms that the range shifts resulting from human agency or global change are likely first to be perceived in the future.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical trends or evolutionary processes, use "large spans of time" to emphasize the extensive periods involved.

Common error

Avoid using "large spans of time" when simpler alternatives like "long periods" or "extended durations" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing the scale and significance of the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large spans of time" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a preposition or verb. It specifies a considerable duration, emphasizing the length and extent of the period being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large spans of time" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize extended durations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, noting its suitability in various contexts such as news, science, and wiki articles. While alternatives like "extended periods" or "long durations" exist, "large spans of time" effectively highlights the scale and significance of the period involved. When writing, remember that while correct, it works best when the long duration is specifically what you wish to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended periods

This alternative uses a more common and direct way to express a long duration.

long durations

Similar to "extended periods", this emphasizes the length of the time involved.

prolonged intervals

This alternative suggests a series of events separated by significant amounts of time.

lengthy timeframes

This option highlights that the periods are considered within a particular frame or context.

considerable epochs

This alternative emphasizes the vastness and historical significance of the time periods.

significant stretches of time

This suggests a continuous and notable duration.

vast expanses of time

This alternative is more evocative, emphasizing the breadth and scale of the duration.

extensive temporal ranges

This phrase is more formal and scientific, emphasizing the range or scope of the time period.

long-term horizons

This implies a focus on the future and planning over an extended duration.

ages

A more informal expression for long duration.

FAQs

How can I use "large spans of time" in a sentence?

You can use "large spans of time" to refer to significant periods, as in, "The geological record reveals "large spans of time" between major extinction events".

What are some alternatives to "large spans of time"?

Some alternatives include "extended periods", "long durations", or "significant stretches of time" depending on the context.

Is "large spans of time" formal or informal?

"Large spans of time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "extensive temporal ranges" may be preferred in academic or scientific writing.

What's the difference between "large spans of time" and "long time"?

"Large spans of time" emphasizes the scale and significance of the duration, while "long time" simply indicates that something takes a considerable amount of time. The former is more descriptive and impactful when the duration is a key aspect of the discussion.