spanning

USAGE SUMMARY

'spanning' is an acceptable word in written English.
In its most common use, spanning means "extending or spreading over a certain area, time, or group." For example, you could say: The conference was a five-day event spanning three countries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Al-Qaida's goal of creating an Islamic caliphate spanning the Muslim world is limited to a pocket of lawless boltholes controlled by separate factions.

The Guardian

Anu reveals her 10 personal favourites in the video above - it's a wide-ranging selection, spanning Bollywood, Hollywood and independent Indian film.

The Guardian

I was struck by the similarity between my grandfather's embassy-influenced observations from Mexico 85 years ago and those in the secret state department cables about Haiti, spanning April 2003 to February 2010, that Haïti Liberté has begun to analyse, thanks to WikiLeaks.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the 79-year-old Oscar-winner's debut TV project after more than 40 films in a career spanning more than half a century.

The Guardian

Now the hospital has admitted to a further 563 serious incidents at the hospital spanning a two-year period.

The Guardian

It is the Oscar-winner's debut TV project after more than 40 films in a career spanning more than half a century.

The Guardian

That's nothing compared to Cleveland, whose unprecedented championship drought spanning 156 combined seasons includes such lowlights as The Fumble, The Shot, The Drive and Red Right 88.

The Guardian - Sport

Her influence spanning 30 years of tireless campaigning cannot be overestimated.

The Guardian

Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp A Butterfly A dense and powerful album, spanning jazz, funk and neo-soul influences while tackling both personal and social politics.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Amazon just fast-tracked another round of pilots? Big wow: Netflix is gifting the world a full-blown Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie sequel later this year, while also slinging the Wachowskis enough cash to make Sense8, the globe-spanning sci-fi show of their dreams.

The Guardian

Within a dozen years, Rowe & Pitman has become part of a globe-spanning giant.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spanning", ensure the context clearly defines the range or duration being covered. For example, "The project is spanning two fiscal years" provides a clear timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "spanning" with a singular subject when the context implies multiple elements. For instance, instead of "The event spanning many topics", use "The event spans many topics" or "The event, spanning many topics, is..."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spanning" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb form or as an adjective modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes something that extends over a period of time or across a space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spanning" functions as a versatile present participle, effectively conveying the idea of extension or coverage across a specific range or period. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it is most frequently encountered in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity in defining the scope being described. The alternatives such as "covering" or "encompassing" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that "spanning" is an acceptable word in written English. Overall, "spanning" is a robust and valuable term for precise and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covering

This alternative focuses on the act of overlaying or including something within a defined area or period.

encompassing

This word suggests a broader inclusion, implying that something contains or includes a wide variety of elements.

extending across

This alternative emphasizes the physical reach or spread of something over a particular distance or area.

ranging from

This highlights the variety or scope of elements included, often indicating a spectrum or a series of points.

traversing

Implies movement or passage through an area or time period.

stretching over

This emphasizes the length or duration of something, implying a prolonged or elongated extent.

bridging

Focuses on connecting two distinct points or ideas, implying a link or transition.

overarching

This alternative indicates a comprehensive or dominant element that covers or influences everything else.

including

This is a simpler way to indicate that something is contained or incorporated within a larger set.

distributed across

This suggests a scattered or dispersed presence over a given area or time.

FAQs

How is "spanning" used in a sentence?

"Spanning" is used to describe something that extends across a particular range, area, or time period. For example, "The festival, "spanning three days", featured various musical performances".

What are some alternatives to using "spanning"?

Alternatives to "spanning" include "covering", "encompassing", or "extending across", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "spanning" instead of "including"?

"Spanning" is best used when emphasizing the extent or duration, whereas "including" simply indicates that something is part of a larger group. For example, a career "spanning" decades implies longevity, while a list "including" several items indicates composition.

What's the difference between "spanning" and "stretching"?

"Spanning" often implies a comprehensive coverage or inclusion across a defined range, while "stretching" emphasizes physical extension or length. The project is "spanning" multiple departments versus The road is "stretching" for miles.