spans over

USAGE SUMMARY

"spans over" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the passage of time, such as when something is spread out over a particular period of time. For example, "The transition from winter to spring spans over several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We also ad occurrence information that spans over 60 countries, over 2,000 channels, 600,000 commercials a day".

Huffington Post

Sir David's career in the NHS spans over 30 years.

The Guardian

The region under consideration spans over 5 35°N geog.

Advances in Space Research

Note that the legend spans over several orders of magnitude.

Nature

An investigation into gun culture and its aftermath that spans over 25 countries.

The Guardian - Books

The region under study spans over 5°S-30°N geomag.

Advances in Space Research

Body mass (BM) in mammal species spans over six orders of magnitude.

Journal of Structural Biology

Her career in the field of neuroscience spans over three decades.

Nature

Our proprietary dataset covers 12 online marketplaces for technology and spans over 140 industries.

Research Policy

Before they build the first tower, however, developers must erect platforms or spans over the railyards while trains continue running.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pressley, who supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race, has enjoyed a political career that spans over 18 years.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spans over", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being extended or covered. For example, "The project spans over three years" is clearer than "It spans over three years".

Common error

Avoid using "spans across" or "spans through" as alternatives. While "across" and "through" can indicate extension, "spans over" is the idiomatic form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spans over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the extent or duration of something, whether in terms of time, distance, or scope. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is used to describe something that extends or covers a particular range or period. For example, "Her career spans over three decades."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spans over" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the extent or duration of something, whether it's a career, a geographical area, or a period of time. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It has a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using "spans over", it's crucial to ensure clarity in the subject and avoid incorrect prepositional alternatives. Related phrases include "extends across", "covers a range of", and "encompasses", each offering slightly different nuances. With its widespread applicability across various domains, "spans over" remains a valuable tool for expressing scope and duration in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extends across

Replaces "spans" with "extends" and "over" with "across", emphasizing the geographical or spatial coverage.

stretches across

Similar to "extends across" but implies a continuous length or duration.

covers a range of

Focuses on the scope or variety encompassed rather than the physical distance or time.

reaches across

Highlights the act of spanning and connecting different areas or concepts.

encompasses

A more formal way to say includes or contains within a certain boundary.

spreads throughout

Highlights the dispersion or reach of something within a defined space or time.

ranges throughout

Emphasizes the distribution or variety within a given area or period.

runs through

Suggests a continuous and connected path or duration.

includes

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that something is part of a larger whole.

passes over

Indicates movement or transition across a specific area or timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "spans over" in a sentence?

Use "spans over" to indicate a duration, range, or extent. For example, "Her career "spans over" three decades" or "The data "spans over" 1 million uses".

What are some alternatives to "spans over"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "extends across", "covers a range of", or "encompasses" as alternatives to "spans over".

Is it correct to say "span across" instead of "spans over"?

While "span" can be used with "across" in certain contexts, ""spans over"" is the idiomatic form when referring to duration, range, or extent. Using "span across" might sound awkward in these cases.

What's the difference between "spans over" and "covers"?

"Spans over" typically implies a duration or continuous extent, whereas "covers" suggests inclusion or a range of topics or items. For example, "The project "spans over" a year" versus "The book covers various topics".