spanning several hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spanning several hours" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an event or activity that lasts for multiple hours. Example: "The meeting was lengthy, spanning several hours." Alternative expressions include "lasting several hours" and "covering several hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His musical output consists of over 100 compositions, ranging from aphoristic pieces to works spanning several hours.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The shootings, which spanned several hours and two blocks in the city's east side, were the deadliest in the history of the Oakland police.

The New York Times

The final selection process spanned several hours on Sunday, when Mr. Gore met at his hotel suite here beginning at 3 30 p.m. with top aides and family members.

The New York Times

In a conversation that spanned several hours over three days, and is excerpted here, the Chicago-raised Mr. West, 36, was similarly forthright, both elliptical and lucid, even as long workdays led to evident fatigue.

The New York Times - Arts

The time course of the reuptake of acetaminophen spans several hours (36– 38), which therefore could explain the plateau in plasma concentrations from t = 120 min onward.

AAPS Journal

This approach can severely limit the number of subjects which can be tested in a reasonable period of time, as training and testing occur on the same day and span several hours.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

The lawyer warned, however, that the process of indexing and analysing the contents of the tapes - which span several hundred hours of Presidential conversations beginning on June 20 , 1972 just three days after the Watergate break-in, would be "time-consuming".

The Guardian

." will feature two hours of holiday favorites spanning several centuries and three continents.

Los Angeles Times

Deft writing, spanning several languages, check.

Vice

Both also have ten major primary works spanning several decades.

Vice

They deliver goods over intercity routes, sometimes spanning several states.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spanning several hours" to describe an event, activity, or process that occupies a significant duration of time. It is best used when emphasizing the duration of something continuous or connected.

Common error

Avoid using "spanning several hours" to describe disconnected events. The phrase implies a continuous period, so it's less suitable for describing activities that are intermittent or unrelated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spanning several hours" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to indicate the duration of an event, activity, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spanning several hours" is a grammatically correct and commonly used descriptive modifier that indicates the duration of an event or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. Alternatives like "lasting several hours" or "extending for hours" can be used for semantic variations. Remember to use it to describe continuous or connected events accurately, avoiding the implication of interruption or disconnection. The phrase has been found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting multiple hours

Focuses on the duration being extended over several hours, rather than the act of spanning.

extending for hours

Highlights the continuous nature of the activity or event.

covering a few hours

Emphasizes the time period that something encompasses.

taking several hours

Highlights the time required or consumed by an event.

occupying several hours

Implies that something fills a specific duration of time.

running for hours

Suggests continuous activity or operation over a period.

going on for hours

Indicates a prolonged or continued existence.

being a few hours long

Focuses directly on the length or duration of something.

across a timespan of hours

Highlights the duration as a specific timespan.

over a period of hours

Emphasizes the presence of a time period within which something happens.

FAQs

How can I use "spanning several hours" in a sentence?

You can use "spanning several hours" to describe an event or activity that lasts for a few hours. For instance, "The conference "lasting several hours" covered various aspects of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "spanning several hours"?

Alternatives include "lasting several hours", "extending for hours", or "taking several hours". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "spanning across several hours"?

While understandable, "spanning several hours" is more concise and commonly used. Adding "across" is redundant because "spanning" already implies covering a duration.

What is the difference between "spanning several hours" and "happening over several hours"?

"Spanning several hours" emphasizes the duration, while "happening over several hours" highlights that events occurred within that period. For example, "The debate "spanning several hours" focused on economic policy" versus "Disruptions "happening over several hours" delayed the project completion".