lengths of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"lengths of time" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It refers to the duration or amount of time that has passed or will pass. Example: She measured the lengths of time it took for each experiment to produce results.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Some for a year, others unspecified lengths of time.

The Guardian - Sport

Practice for lengths of time that can fit into your schedule.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Further studies will reveal the appropriate lengths of time for different circumstances.

Harvard University

This is just because different sized stars live for different lengths of time.

Cornell University

What does this tell you about the lengths of time represented by normal and reversed polarity?

University of California, Berkeley

It is written for anyone who enjoys pondering difficult problems for great lengths of time.

Harvard University

The sellers of other apartments were similarly made to wait inexcusable lengths of time.

The New York Times

Nausea and vomiting affects 70to85percentent of pregnant women for varying lengths of time.

The New York Times - Health

He noted that the figures, among other things, covered unequal lengths of time.

The New York Times

Twachtman actually settled in Greenwich; the other three came and went for various lengths of time.

The New York Times - Arts

The human body is able to go for impressive lengths of time without pizza.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or contractual contexts, "lengths of time" can provide clarity when defining the validity or duration of agreements.

Common error

Be specific when using "lengths of time". Avoid ambiguity by providing quantifiable measures (e.g., hours, days, years) or clear reference points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengths of time" functions as a noun phrase that quantifies or specifies durations. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, ranging from scientific studies to news reports, to express how long something lasts or persists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lengths of time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that quantifies duration across diverse contexts. Ludwig confirms its validity, showing its prevalence in academic, scientific, and news-related materials. It functions to provide precise details about temporal extents, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. The best practices for usage involve ensuring specificity and avoiding vague references. Alternative phrases include "periods of time" and "durations", each subtly altering the emphasis on duration. The linguistic analysis reveals that the phrase serves to quantify duration and is common in scientific and academic fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time periods

A common and versatile alternative.

periods of duration

Replaces "time" with "duration", focusing on the extent of the periods.

time spans

Similar to "spans of time", but with a slightly different emphasis.

spans of time

Emphasizes the continuous extent of the periods.

stretches of time

Suggests continuous and unbroken durations.

durations

A more concise way to refer to the length of something.

time intervals

Highlights specific segments of time.

intervals of time

Focuses on the gaps or spaces between events.

time frames

Implies a defined beginning and end.

certain durations

Emphasizes that durations are specific or predetermined.

FAQs

How can I use "lengths of time" in a sentence?

You can use "lengths of time" to describe the duration of events, processes, or periods. For example: "The experiment measured the reaction rates at different "time intervals"."

What's a more formal alternative to "lengths of time"?

Alternatives such as "periods of duration" or ""time intervals"" can provide a more formal tone, especially in academic or professional contexts.

How does "lengths of time" differ from "periods of time"?

"Lengths of time" specifically emphasizes the duration, while "periods of time" is a more general term that refers to specific portions of time without necessarily emphasizing their duration.

Is it better to use "lengths of time" or "durations"?

Both are correct, but "durations" is more concise. "Lengths of time" is typically used when comparing different durations or emphasizing the variance in time spans.