spanning the length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spanning the length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that extends or covers a certain distance or duration. Example: "The bridge is spanning the length of the river, connecting both sides seamlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whether separated by sideyards or joined as row houses spanning the length of entire blocks, they create a repetitive, geometrical effect.

The New York Times

At the Joyce until August 4th, Pilobolus is presenting two programs containing ten works, spanning the length of the company's existence.

The New Yorker

The Indian Railways network, one of the world's largest, is the primary form of transport for millions of Indians, spanning the length and breadth of the country.

The New York Times

Experts have been called in by the city authorities to investigate the damage to 10 of the limestone blocks spanning the length of the 27m-long, 21m-high Unesco World Heritage site above the river Neretva.

The Guardian

From a student-designed steel shelter set among pine trees in a Northumberland forest to the commercial might of Jean Nouvel's One New Change shopping mall in the City of London, 89 British buildings spanning the length and breadth of Britain have won a 2011 Royal Institute of British Architects award.

The Guardian - Arts

On that show she was backed by more than a dozen players on songs spanning the length of her solo career; there were also vivid collaborations with the rapper Mala Rodríguez ("Eres Para Mí"), the producer and multi-instrumentalist Gustavo Santaolalla ("Algún Día") and the singer Juan Son ("De Mis Pasos").

The New York Times - Arts

After a fanfare for trumpets in the grand foyer just after 10 a.m., he and the audience traipsed from one gallery to another, prompting curiosity among passers-by and sometimes spanning the length of the building to get from this concert to that.

The New York Times - Arts

The clusters are characterized with an ellipse shape borders spanning the length of up to 3σ in each dimension.

Analytica Chimica Acta

So Craig and his colleagues analyzed small samples of charred material taken from 101 ceramic vessels or fragments found at 13 sites spanning the length of Japan.

Science Magazine

Shear stress studies, to date have been focused on using parallel plate flow chambers, or shear stress gradients spanning the length of the microchannel.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

In this species, the skeleton comprises an elaborate cylindrical lattice-like structure with at least six hierarchical levels spanning the length scale from nanometers to centimeters.

Journal of Structural Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spanning the length" when you want to emphasize that something extends or applies consistently throughout the entirety of a given distance, period or area. For instance, you can say, "The research project involved collecting data spanning the length of the river".

Common error

Avoid using "spanning the length" when referring to something that only partially covers a distance or period. Ensure the subject truly extends from one end to the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spanning the length" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used within a participial phrase. It describes the action of something extending or covering the entire distance or duration of a specified area or period. Ludwig AI confirms this is accurate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spanning the length" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of extending or covering the entirety of a specified distance, area or time period. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and is mainly found in Science and News contexts. While it can be used across various types of writing, it's essential to ensure that it accurately reflects the completeness of the coverage. Using alternatives such as "covering the entire distance" can provide variety, but the key is maintaining the clarity and precision that "spanning the length" offers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covering the entire distance

Emphasizes the complete coverage of a distance.

extending across the full length

Focuses on the act of extending from one end to the other.

running the complete duration

Highlights the temporal aspect of covering a period of time.

stretching along the whole distance

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the extension.

reaching from end to end

Highlights the start and finish points of the coverage.

encompassing the total extent

Focuses on including everything within the defined limits.

traversing the entire span

Suggests the action of moving across the whole distance.

going the full distance

Highlights the completion of a journey or process.

occupying the whole stretch

Focuses on the presence or filling of a given area.

covering from beginning to end

Specifies the start and end points of the coverage.

FAQs

How can I use "spanning the length" in a sentence?

You can use "spanning the length" to describe something that extends or covers the entire distance or duration. For example, "The cables are "spanning the length" of the bridge".

What are some alternatives to "spanning the length"?

Alternatives include "covering the entire distance", "extending across the full length", or "running the complete duration", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "spanning the length and width"?

Yes, "spanning the length and width" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that covers both dimensions of an area. For example, "The survey "spanning the length" and width of the park".

What's the difference between "spanning the length" and "covering the area"?

"Spanning the length" specifically implies extending from one end to the other along the longest dimension, while "covering the area" refers to encompassing the entire surface or region. You might say "The investigation "spanning the length" of the corridor revealed several security flaws, but it was not "covering the area" of the entire block".