period in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "period in which" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a length of time in which something took place; for example, "The late 19th century was a period in which air travel became more accessible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

period in which an evoked response is simulated (550-850ms).

Yale University

"The period in which you were target-free is over".

The New York Times

That was a period in which Ken thrived.

The New York Times

it is given during the same pay period in which the overtime hours were worked.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tremain makes Merivel a man who resigns himself to the period in which he thrives.

The Guardian - Books

"We are entering a period in which we won't see either significant declines or growth".

The New York Times

This is the first period in which she has been unattached for any length of time.

The New York Times

The Leahy years will be rewritten as the period in which Tesco overreached itself.

The Guardian - Business

The article also misstated the period in which the show is set.

The New York Times

Among the highlights is Carter's diary from the period in which he discovered Tutankhamun's tomb.

The Guardian

The article also misstated the period in which Nissan used ChromaFlair on two cars in Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "period in which" to clearly define a specific duration when something occurs or a condition prevails. Ensure that the clause following "period in which" provides precise context about what happened or existed during that time.

Common error

Avoid using "period in which" without clearly defining the timeframe. Instead of saying, "It was a period in which things changed," specify the period: "The 1960s were a period in which social norms rapidly changed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "period in which" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a specific timeframe. It connects a noun (period) with a clause that describes or defines it further. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction. The examples in Ludwig show a variety of contexts where this phrase is used to provide historical, scientific, or contextual information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

34%

Science

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "period in which" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to define a specific timeframe within which an event or condition exists. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its frequent appearance in diverse sources, notably News & Media and Academia, underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the period and its relevance to the statement. While alternatives like "time during which" or "phase where" exist, "period in which" offers a neutral and reliable option for many writing scenarios. Avoid vague time references to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time during which

Rephrases "in which" as "during which", providing a slightly more formal tone and emphasizing concurrency.

timeframe when

Replaces "period" with "timeframe" and "in which" with "when", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

the span when

Uses "span" to refer to a period of time, replacing "in which" with "when" to describe when something happened.

duration that

Substitutes "period" with "duration" and "in which" with "that", emphasizing the length of time.

phase where

Replaces "period" with "phase" and "in which" with "where", suggesting a stage or segment of time.

interval when

Uses "interval" instead of "period" and "when" in place of "in which", implying a measured or specific time slot.

stage at which

Replaces "period" with "stage" and emphasizes a specific point in a process or development.

the era that

Employs "era" to signify a broader period, and "that" to introduce a defining characteristic or event.

moment that

Switches to "moment" to focus on a very specific point in time at which something occurs.

juncture when

Employs "juncture" to replace period, suggesting a critical or decisive point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "period in which" in a sentence?

Use "period in which" to specify a duration when an event occurs or a condition exists. For example, "The Renaissance was a "period in which" art and science flourished."

What are some alternatives to "period in which"?

Alternatives include "time during which", "phase where", or "timeframe when", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "during which" instead of "period in which"?

Both "period in which" and "during which" are grammatically correct, but "during which" may sound more concise. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the rhythm of your sentence. For example, compare "The era was a "period in which" significant discoveries were made" versus "Significant discoveries were made during this era".

Can "period in which" be used to refer to a very short time?

Yes, "period in which" can refer to both short and long durations. However, for very short durations, phrases like "the moment that" or "the instant when" might be more appropriate. For example, "There was a "period in which" I hesitated" can be replaced by "The moment that I hesitated" to emphasize the brevity.