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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
second the duration of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "second the duration of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear without context, but it seems to attempt to convey a meaning related to time or length, possibly in a formal or technical setting. Example: "We need to second the duration of the meeting to ensure all topics are covered."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
17 human-written examples
With "a combination of power and timing so focused and potent that it generated 8,000 pounds of force… and, in the space of one thousandth of a second – the duration of contact – through the miracle of physics it converted the sizzling zip of an incoming 90mph baseball into an outgoing spheroid launched cloudward at 110mph".
News & Media
Second, the duration of interventions was short in general, ranging from 4 weeks to 4 months.
Second, the duration of renal ischemia was 30 min and measurements were performed up to 90 min post-ischemia and thus long-term effects of I/R and tempol were not studied.
Second, the duration of the study was relatively short, limiting information on the variability in UC disease over time, and none of the participants experienced an acute flare up of their condition, thus limiting the data on change, including worsening and improvement.
Second, the duration of overloading (7 days) and unloading (14 days) - although causing comparable degrees of changes in left ventricular mass (±∼30%) - may not correspond to the time at which changes in miRNA expression have their major impact.
Science
Second, the duration of the ventilatory protocol was 180 minutes.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
43 human-written examples
The camera films for three minutes and twenty-five seconds, the duration of a Super-8 cartridge.
News & Media
A time signature indicates, first, the duration of the space between two bar lines (a measure, or bar); and, second, the subsidiary stress patterns within that space.
Encyclopedias
First, the duration of compulsory education was extended.
Science
First, the duration of our follow-up period is exceptionally long.
First, the duration of no-flow was shorter in ACLS patients compared to no-ACLS patients.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "second the duration of" in formal or academic writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "extend the duration" or "prolong the period" to ensure your message is easily understood.
Common error
A common mistake is to assume "second" can be used as a verb meaning 'to extend' or 'to increase'. In standard English, "second" primarily means 'to support a proposal'. Using it in place of "extend" creates grammatical errors and confusion.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "second the duration of" does not function correctly in English grammar. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is ungrammatical. The word "second" typically functions as a noun (a unit of time) or a verb (to support a motion).
Frequent in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "second the duration of" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is advisable to use alternative phrases like "extend the duration of" or "prolong the length of" to accurately convey the intended meaning of lengthening or increasing something in time. Given its incorrectness, the phrase should be avoided in formal and professional communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
extend the duration of
Focuses on making something last longer, directly replacing "second" with a verb indicating prolongation.
prolong the length of
Similar to 'extend the duration of', but uses 'length' instead of 'duration', emphasizing a physical or temporal extent.
increase the time of
A more general way to express making something last longer, using simpler vocabulary.
lengthen the period of
Emphasizes making a specific timeframe longer, focusing on the interval of time.
continue the time of
Focuses on the continuation of an event or activity for a longer time.
measure the duration of
Shifts the focus to measuring the amount of time something lasts, rather than extending it.
assess the length of
Similar to 'measure the duration of', but uses 'length', suggesting a quantitative evaluation.
determine the time of
Focuses on finding out the specific time something occurs or lasts.
ascertain the duration of
A more formal way of saying 'determine the duration of', emphasizing a careful and exact finding.
chronicle the time of
Focuses on recording or documenting the time something occurs, rather than extending it.
FAQs
How can I correctly use the word "second" in relation to time?
The word "second" typically refers to a unit of time or to supporting a motion or proposal. To talk about extending time, use phrases like "extend the time" or "prolong the duration".
What are some alternatives to "second the duration of" that accurately convey the intended meaning?
Instead of "second the duration of", use phrases like "increase the length of", "extend the period of", or "lengthen the time of" to more accurately express the idea of making something longer.
Is "second the duration of" grammatically correct in formal English?
No, "second the duration of" is not grammatically correct in formal English. The word "second" does not function as a verb meaning 'to extend' in standard usage. It is better to rephrase using more appropriate verbs.
What's the difference between "second the duration of" and "extend the duration of"?
"Second the duration of" is grammatically incorrect and unclear. "Extend the duration of" is the correct phrase to express the idea of making something last longer.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested