over several weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over several weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a duration of time during which an event or process occurs, typically indicating that it spans multiple weeks. Example: "The project was developed over several weeks, allowing the team to refine their ideas and implement feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The powder fills about 100 capsules that the new mother takes over several weeks.

HuffPost

Over several weeks, 178 people died.

Independent

Leaves on trees change color and fall over several weeks.

University of California, Berkeley

variety were studied over several weeks during the harvest period.

Postharvest Biology and Technology

Increase the water over several weeks to encourage more growth.

The New York Times

Headaches will worsen initially, but subsequently improve over several weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The improvisation materialized into a song over several weeks.

The New York Times - Magazine

The targeted wrinkles fade away over several weeks.

The New York Times

Stagger planting over several weeks for a longer show.

The New York Times - Style

Attacks tend to come in batches spread over several weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The vote took place by mail over several weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over several weeks" to describe processes, studies, or treatments that occur continuously or repeatedly during that period. For instance, "The data was collected "over several weeks" to ensure accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "over several weeks" when the context already implies a duration. Instead of saying "The effects were observed "over several weeks' time", simplify it to "The effects were observed "over several weeks"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over several weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It specifies the duration of an action, process, or state, indicating that it extends across multiple weeks. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over several weeks" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify the duration of an event or process. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for describing activities that extend across multiple weeks. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid redundancy by omitting "time" when it's already implied. Consider related phrases like "during several weeks" or "across several weeks" for variety, and remember that "in several weeks" refers to a future point in time, not a duration. With its widespread use and clear meaning, "over several weeks" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during several weeks

Replaces "over" with "during", a synonym in this context, focusing on the period in which something occurs.

across several weeks

Substitutes "over" with "across", highlighting the extent of time covered.

throughout several weeks

Emphasizes the continuity of an event over the span of several weeks.

in the course of several weeks

Formally expresses the duration of an event, adding a degree of formality.

for a few weeks

Uses "a few" instead of "several", indicating a shorter, less precise timeframe.

for a number of weeks

Replaces "several" with "a number", offering a more general indication of quantity.

spanning several weeks

Highlights the continuous duration of the event, emphasizing its reach across time.

lasting several weeks

Focuses on the duration of the event, highlighting its length in weeks.

across a few weeks

Combines the less precise "a few" with the extent of "across", indicating approximate duration.

over the course of a few weeks

Combines a more formal tone with the less precise "a few", providing a more relaxed yet still somewhat formal description.

FAQs

How can I use "over several weeks" in a sentence?

Use "over several weeks" to indicate that an activity or process takes place continuously or repeatedly during a period spanning multiple weeks. For example, "The experiment was conducted "over several weeks" to gather sufficient data".

What are some alternatives to "over several weeks"?

Alternatives include "during several weeks", "across several weeks", or "throughout several weeks", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the duration.

Is it better to say "over several weeks" or "in several weeks"?

"Over several weeks" indicates a duration, while "in several weeks" suggests a point in the future. For example, "The study took place "over several weeks"", but "The results will be available "in several weeks"".

What's the difference between "over the past several weeks" and "over several weeks"?

"Over the past several weeks" refers to a period in the immediate past leading up to the present, whereas "over several weeks" is a more general statement about a duration of time without specifying when it occurred.