span of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"span of time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a period of time, usually a longer one. Example: I have been working in this field for a span of time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cliff's narrative covers a huge span of time.

The New York Times

STAMFORD "A Span of Time," paintings by Henriette Simon Picker.

The New York Times

"The attack had a profoundly adverse impact in a short span of time".

The New York Times

But in that barely perceptible span of time, Garvin became an intriguing N.F.L. prospect.

The New York Times - Sports

It's less about me but more about what this span of time really represents".

The New York Times - Arts

They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.

The Guardian

He finally describes high school as a "span of time with more questions than answers".

The New Yorker

3D printing has come a long way in an extremely short span of time.

The Guardian

Whenever stocks fall sharply in a short span of time, people tend to panic.

The New Yorker

Morrell, he said, should have offered them gradually over a span of time.

The New York Times

Half a decade is a geological span of time in the software industry.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "span of time" to describe a period when emphasizing its duration or extent, especially when referring to changes or developments that occur within it.

Common error

While "span of time" is versatile, be specific when possible. Instead of "over a span of time", consider specifying "over five years" or "during the last decade" to provide more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "span of time" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an adverbial modifier, indicating the duration or extent over which an action or state occurs. It provides context to the timing of events, as shown in many Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "span of time" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to refer to a duration, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "span of time" is generally correct, it's advisable to be as specific as possible for clarity. Alternatives such as "period of time", "duration", and "time frame" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. The extensive examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its widespread applicability and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time span

A simple inversion of the words, still referring to a duration or period.

period of time

Focuses on a defined portion of time, emphasizing its beginning and end.

duration

Highlights the length of time that something lasts.

time frame

Implies a specific window or limit within which something occurs.

time period

Refers to a particular segment of history or a defined era.

stretch of time

Refers to a continuous period of time, often implying a significant duration.

length of time

Emphasizes the measurement of how long something lasts.

course of time

Refers to the progression of events over a period.

interval

Emphasizes the space between two points in time.

phase

Highlights the stage of a process or development.

FAQs

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

"Span of time" is used to refer to a period of time during which something happens or exists. For example, "The project evolved significantly over a "period of time"."

What are some alternatives to "span of time"?

You can use alternatives like "duration", "period of time", or "time frame" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in a short span of time" or "in a short time"?

Both are acceptable, but "in a short "span of time"" emphasizes the duration, while "in a short time" simply refers to a brief period. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the duration itself.

What's the difference between "span of time" and "timeframe"?

"Span of time" generally refers to a continuous period, while "timeframe" often implies a defined period with specific start and end dates or deadlines.