over a time span

USAGE SUMMARY

"over a time span" can be used in written English.
It refers to a period of time that is longer than a single moment, such as a day, week, month, or even a year. For example, "I have noticed a significant improvement in my writing over a time span of two years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The model is intended to be applied to decisions related to tactical planning over a time span of one year.

Journal of Transport Geography

Motors initially spun exclusively counterclockwise, but then increased the fraction of time that they spun clockwise over a time span similar to that observed for adaptation in speed.

Harvard University

They have remained must-have purchases over a time span when the "it" bag was supposed to survive barely one season.

The New York Times

Finally, van Woerkom showed that Jupiter would eventually eject all the long-period comets to interstellar space over a time span of about one million years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even more important, the program is meant to be taught and applied by line managers over a time span involving six overlapping phases.

Harvard Business Review

We then perform forward models of river incision and simulate the incision of the Tinée River system over a time span of 600 ka.

Quaternary Science Reviews

Sediment accumulation in these river basins has been controlled by climatic and tectonic changes over a time span from the Late Pleistocene to the recent.

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

However, synchronous models supported the notion of an effect of each of these factors on headache severity over a time span shorter than 2 years.

PAIN®

In the paper an analysis of incidents related to human errors, over a time span of 10 years (2000 2009) was performed.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

A progression of increasing lag times can be spatially linked to the ocean conveyor belt, which may transport the solar signal over a time span of several decades.

Advances in Space Research

This research uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study the metal/electrolyte interface and how it changes after carburising and over a time span of 24 h.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over a time span", ensure the duration is clearly defined. For example, specify "over a time span of five years" instead of just "over a time span" if the context doesn't make the duration clear.

Common error

Avoid using "over a time span" without providing a clear indication of the duration. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Instead of saying "changes observed over a time span", specify "changes observed over a time span of several months."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over a time span" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It specifies the duration or period during which an action occurs or a state exists. Ludwig's examples show how this phrase adds a temporal dimension to the described events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over a time span" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify duration, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness. It's frequently employed in scientific and academic writing to provide temporal context. While acceptable across various registers, it’s crucial to clearly define the duration to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "during a period" and "across a timeframe", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively incorporate "over a time span" into their work to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a period

Focuses on a specific, defined period rather than a potentially variable duration.

throughout a duration

Emphasizes the continuity of an action or state throughout the specified duration.

across a timeframe

Similar, but might imply a structured or planned period.

within an interval

More specific and often used in technical or scientific contexts.

for a duration of

Highlights the measured length of the period.

spanning a period

Emphasizes the extent or reach of the period in question.

in the course of

Suggests events happening naturally as time passes.

covering a stretch

More informal, implying length of a period

encompassing a duration

Formal and emphasizes the inclusion of the entire period.

through the years

Implies a longer, more general duration, often over multiple years.

FAQs

How can I use "over a time span" in a sentence?

Use "over a time span" to indicate the duration during which something occurs or extends. For example, "The study tracked the disease progression "over a time span" of five years."

What are some alternatives to "over a time span"?

You can use phrases like "during a period", "throughout a duration", or "across a timeframe" as alternatives to ""over a time span"" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "over a time span" or "during a period"?

The choice between ""over a time span"" and "during a period" depends on the context. "Over a time span" emphasizes duration, while "during a period" focuses on a specific, defined period.

Can "over a time span" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""over a time span"" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific or academic contexts, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.