stretch the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'stretch the time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to extending a period of time by taking longer to complete something. For example, "I'm going to have to stretch the time to finish painting the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The comedian, the Sweet Inspirations, and an interval, stretch the time to 9.28.

The Guardian - Music

Heavy highway traffic or severe New England snowfalls could stretch the time of her drive from her home in Cranston, R.I., to her office in Norwich, Conn.

The New York Times

Mr. Grassley said today that his bill would stretch the time frame so all the rate cuts would not be effective until a later year.

The New York Times

Now Germany is seeking to stretch the time period over which it will inject €22 billion into the fund, although German officials insist it is not trying to upset the agreement.

The New York Times

Stretch the time frame back to 1990, the approximate beginning of Japan's stubborn economic funk, and the ailing Asian economic giant has had 13 prime ministers come and go before Mr. Kan.

The New York Times

"It seems quite crazy that we'd want to be locked away in a dark room for 12 hours listening to the same stuff over and over again," says Green, "but we stretch the time as much as we can".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"He stretched the time.

The New York Times

But I made a lot of notes, and that stretched the time out some.

The New Yorker

Then he became the world's first professional goalkeeping coach – innovative, ground-breaking work which stretched the time he made his living from the game to six decades.

Independent

Stretching the time between infusions may also improve patient adherence and allow for earlier identification of transient responders.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The scaling parameter stretches the time courses obtained by Boolean synchronous update simulation to match the data as closely as possible.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stretch the time" when you want to convey the idea of extending a duration, either literally or figuratively, by making something take longer or last longer. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the act of prolonging a specific period.

Common error

Avoid using "stretch the time" when a more specific verb like 'extend', 'prolong', or 'lengthen' would be more precise. "Stretch the time" often implies a deliberate or resourceful effort to make time last, so it might not be appropriate in all contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stretch the time" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "stretch" acts as a transitive verb taking "the time" as its object. It signifies the action of extending or prolonging a specific duration. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stretch the time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that means to extend or prolong a duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While generally neutral in register, more formal settings might prefer alternatives like "extend the duration" or "prolong the period". Remember to use "stretch the time" when you want to emphasize making time last longer, and be mindful of the connotation it carries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthen the timeframe

Similar to "stretch the time" but emphasizes the temporal aspect.

extend the duration

Focuses on making the period longer, similar to "stretch the time" but more formal.

expand the interval

Focuses on increasing the gap between two points in time.

prolong the period

Implies a formal or deliberate effort to lengthen the duration.

elongate the term

Describes extending a specific period, often in an official or contractual context.

drag out the process

Suggests making a task take longer, often with a negative connotation.

make time last longer

Expresses a desire to slow down the perceived rate of time.

draw out the proceedings

Refers specifically to lengthening a formal event or meeting.

pad out the schedule

Suggests adding extra, sometimes unnecessary, elements to fill time.

fill in the time

Indicates using activities to occupy a period, often to avoid boredom.

FAQs

How can I use "stretch the time" in a sentence?

You can use "stretch the time" to describe making something last longer than it normally would, such as "I tried to stretch the time I had with my family during the holidays" or "The band stretched the time of their set with an extended instrumental solo".

What's a more formal alternative to "stretch the time"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "extend the duration" or "prolong the period". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "stretch the time" the same as "fill the time"?

While both phrases involve dealing with time, they have different nuances. "Stretch the time" implies making an activity last longer, whereas "fill the time" suggests using activities to occupy a period, often to avoid boredom.

When is it appropriate to use "stretch the time"?

"Stretch the time" is appropriate when you want to convey the sense of deliberately making something last longer or extending a period, often through resourceful or creative means. For example, "We had to stretch the time until the rescue team arrived by rationing our supplies".