spanned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spanned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that extends across a certain distance or time period. Example: "The bridge spanned the river, connecting the two towns on either side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The other climbs in Sheffield on the route are named after the villages they skirt: Côte de Midhopestones, which has gradients of between 9% and 15%; Côte de Bradfield, which includes a 20% stretch; and Côte d'Oughtibridge, known locally as 'Jawbone Hill' because (according to VeloViewer) the actual jawbones of a whale once spanned the road to commemorate the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

The Guardian

My education on the subject of the first world war spanned over little more than a few lessons, in the dark days of year nine.

The Guardian

Johnson's career spanned 60 years, and he featured in many films, including the 2008 movie Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, and Khartoum in 1966 alongside Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier.

The Guardian

Indeed, according to Fifa's official website Blatter's career spanned a whopping 23 years from 1948 (this is presumably including youth football as he would have been 12 at that time) to 1971 - most, if not all, of which was spent with his hometown side FC Visp.

The Guardian - Sport

In the years of planning for D-Day, the taking of both Bénouville bridge, later named Pegasus bridge after the 6th Airborne's flying horse badge emblem, which spanned the Caen Canal, and nearby Ranville bridge, over the River Orne, were identified as vital.

The Guardian

The team have progressed again under Pardew this year, with Speroni now established as the latest in a succession of Palace goalkeepers who have spanned the generations: he now sits alongside John Jackson, John Burridge and Nigel Martyn.

The Guardian - Sport

The old man was born in the 1920s, the decade when contract bridge was invented by Harold Vanderbilt, the scion of a fabulously rich shipping family.Tom Balfour's life pretty much spanned the history of a once enormously popular game which, on the findings of social-connectedness surveys in the United States, now seems doomed to extinction.

The Economist

The amount may have been modest but the entitlement spanned three centuries, illustrating just how long pension commitments can last.A pension promise can be easy to make but expensive to keep.

The Economist

Biographies of two Indian leaders whose careers spanned most of the 20th century and did much to shape it should tell readers much of what they might want to know about modern India.

The Economist

The paintings form a record of political and personal relationships that spanned the continent.In a room known as the Common Parlour hangs a vivid sketch by Velázquez of Pope Innocent X, tracked down for Walpole by a Scottish artist and dealer, Andrew Hay.

The Economist

These broad figures spanned the two sides' competing proposals as they went into talks; the final treaty totals will be in-between.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spanned", ensure the subject clearly defines the beginning and end points of the extension, whether in time or space. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "spanned" when the limits of the area or period are unclear. Instead of saying 'The project spanned many areas', specify the areas: 'The project spanned urban planning, environmental conservation, and community development'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spanned" is as the past tense of the verb 'span', indicating an action that extended or stretched across a particular area, time, or range. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spanned" functions as the past tense of the verb 'span', indicating extension across a period, area, or range. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. Common errors involve vague boundaries; ensure clear limits are defined when using this term. Alternatives include "extended across", "covered", and "encompassed", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended across

Focuses on the physical or temporal reach of something, emphasizing its length.

stretched over

Highlights the act of reaching from one point to another, often implying a visual or spatial connection.

bridged

Emphasizes the act of connecting two distinct entities or periods, implying a transition or link.

covered

Implies a broader scope of inclusion or a more comprehensive treatment of a subject.

reached across

Signifies a connection or influence extending over a distance or boundary.

encompassed

Suggests a complete inclusion of various elements or aspects within a defined scope.

spread over

Indicates a distribution or dispersion across an area or time, often suggesting a gradual process.

lasted through

Focuses on the duration of something, emphasizing its persistence over a period of time.

ranged from

Highlights the act of varying between two distinct boundaries and the various points within.

ran through

Implies movement or influence permeating an area or period, often suggesting a continuous process.

FAQs

How is "spanned" typically used in a sentence?

The word "spanned" is commonly used to describe the extent or duration of something, whether it's a period of time, a geographical area, or a range of topics. For instance, you could say, 'Her career "extended across" several decades' or 'The bridge "stretched over" the river'.

What words are similar in meaning to "spanned"?

Some words that have similar meanings to "spanned" include "covered", "extended across", "encompassed", and "bridged". The best choice will depend on the specific context.

Is there a difference between using "spanned" and "covered"?

While both "spanned" and "covered" can indicate the scope of something, "spanned" tends to emphasize a connection or extension between two points or periods, while "covered" suggests a more comprehensive treatment or inclusion of various elements. In general the phrase "extended across" is interchangeable to the query.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "spanned"?

It might be inappropriate to use "spanned" if the context doesn't involve a clear sense of connecting or extending across a defined area or period. For example, if you simply want to express inclusion, a word like "included" or "comprised of" might be more fitting.