spans

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "spans" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning "to extend across a period of time" or "to cover an area." For example, "The Roman Empire spans several centuries of history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SDI today spans 33 countries where 90% of the world's slum population of 800 million people live.

The Guardian

He is currently a non-executive director of Tiger Aspect Productions, a visiting professor at the University of Salford and a broadcasting consultant, whose clients have included Ofcom, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as Channel 4. His previous career spans a number of senior positions with Carlton TV, ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC.

The Guardian

"In the last election there were a lot of questions about the credibility of a deficit-reduction plan that spans an election.

The Guardian

Walnuts and flaxseed are also recommended, as they're known for keeping attention spans under control.

The Guardian

It can't be reduced to a single idea: it spans nationalist and even fascist elements but extends also to the idea of what Etienne Balibar calls égaliberté, freedom-in-equality, the unique contribution of Europe to the global political imaginary, even if it is in practice today mostly betrayed by European institutions and citizens themselves.

The Guardian

There are concerns that these devices have negative impacts on children's attention spans and social development, as well as their physical health (not to mention the additional worries of exposure to sex, violence and cyberbullying).

The Guardian - Tech

And this year it is dedicating a festival to three historic spans over the Firth of Forth: one old, one new and a third that is well into middle-age.

The Guardian

With our finite attention spans, and ever more entities vying desperately for those essential digital clicks, investment in established authors who are "excellent but not a celebrity" risks slipping away.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, the city's history of being occupied by Romans and Moors, enriched by trade with the new world, sacked by the British, fortified, and matured in the damp sea air means every one of its narrow cobbled streets spans centuries of history and has eyefuls of sights.

The Guardian - Travel

Like Lanark, he has no memory and must work out how to live in a strange new realm and within a society spread about the spans of that huge bridge.

The Guardian - Books

They've distracted us with their colours and sounds, and that's ruined our attention spans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the scope or duration of an event, project, or concept, use "spans" to effectively convey the breadth or length involved. For example, "The project spans three years and multiple departments."

Common error

Avoid using "spans" multiple times in a single paragraph or short text. Vary your language with synonyms like "covers" or "encompasses" to maintain reader engagement and prevent repetition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spans" is as a verb, typically used in the third-person singular form. It indicates that something extends across a particular distance, area, or period. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "spans" is a versatile verb used to describe the extent, duration, or coverage of a subject, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse writing contexts, particularly in news media and formal business communications. While "spans" is quite versatile, varying your language with synonyms such as "encompasses" or "covers" can enhance clarity and prevent overuse. Remember that, though widely applicable, "spans" functions best when indicating a clear, continuous range or duration, adding precision and depth to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encompasses

This alternative focuses on inclusion and completeness, where "encompasses" suggests that something contains or includes everything within a defined scope.

covers

This alternative is more general and emphasizes the extent to which something reaches or applies.

extends across

This alternative highlights the physical or temporal reach of something, emphasizing movement from one point to another.

ranges over

This alternative emphasizes the variety and scope of elements included within a defined set.

stretches across

This alternative focuses on the linear extent of something, suggesting a continuous connection or coverage.

reaches from

This alternative highlights the origin and destination points, emphasizing the connection between them.

includes

This alternative is more direct and focuses on the act of containing specific items or elements within a larger set.

incorporates

This alternative suggests a deliberate combination of different elements into a unified whole.

comprises

This alternative emphasizes the components that make up a whole, focusing on the constituents of something.

traverses

This alternative implies movement across or through something, emphasizing the act of crossing a space or time period.

FAQs

How can I use "spans" in a sentence?

The word "spans" is used to describe something that extends across an area, distance, or period of time. For example, "The bridge "spans" the river", or "Her career "spans" two decades".

What are some alternatives to "spans"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "covers", "encompasses", or "extends across".

Is it correct to say "spans over"?

While grammatically understandable, "spans" already implies "over", so it's more concise and common to simply say "spans". For example, "The study "spans" five years" is preferable to "The study spans over five years".

What is the difference between "spans" and "includes"?

"Spans" suggests a continuous range or duration, while "includes" simply means containing something as part of a whole. A project that "spans" multiple departments covers all those departments continuously. A project that "includes" multiple departments involves those departments but not necessarily in a continuous or all-encompassing way.