stretches of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stretches of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to periods of time that are long, extensive, or lengthy. For example: "I find myself with too few breaks between stretches of time spent working."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was that just for short stretches of time?

The New Yorker

She stopped eating for long stretches of time.

The New York Times

Ms. Allen spent long stretches of time not going outside.

The New York Times

Sitting for long stretches of time increases the odds of illness and untimely death.

Harvard University

Others said that over vast stretches of time, even unlikely events can become near-certainties.

Harvard University

That molecular clock may keep adequate time over large stretches of time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Irving likes to track his characters over long stretches of time.

The New York Times - Books

Davis remains underwater for long stretches of time working to secure the fish.

The New York Times

People I interviewed spoke about praying by themselves in tongues for similar stretches of time.

The New York Times

For that matter Kennedy was often absent from home for long stretches of time.

The New York Times - Books

"Now" covers larger stretches of time in these matters than in most.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events or processes, use "stretches of time" to convey the vastness or prolonged nature of the periods involved. For example, "The development of agriculture occurred over long stretches of time."

Common error

While "stretches of time" is appropriate for emphasizing duration, avoid using it when a simple time reference suffices. Instead of "I waited for long stretches of time", consider "I waited a long time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stretches of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration or extent of an activity or state. Ludwig shows examples in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stretches of time" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to long or continuous periods. As affirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and general-purpose writing. While alternatives like "periods of time" or "spans of time" exist, "stretches of time" often emphasizes the prolonged nature of the duration. When using this phrase, be mindful of its suitability for conveying extended periods, and avoid overuse in instances where a simple time reference would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spans of time

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the extent or range of the time period.

Prolonged periods

Emphasizes the extended nature of the time period.

Extended durations

Highlights the length of time, often in contrast to shorter periods.

Periods of time

This alternative is more generic, lacking the connotation of extended duration implied by "stretches".

Passages of time

Implies time is progressing or elapsing, often with a sense of change or transition.

Considerable timeframes

Highlights the notable length of the duration.

Durations of time

Focuses specifically on the length of time, without necessarily implying a continuous or uninterrupted period.

Long intervals

Highlights a period of time when an action happens repeatedly.

Blocks of time

Suggests discrete, measurable segments of time.

Intervals of time

Suggests time separated by events or other periods, versus a continuous stretch.

FAQs

How can I use "stretches of time" in a sentence?

You can use "stretches of time" to refer to periods of time that are long or continuous. For example, "She spent long "stretches of time" working on the project."

What are some alternatives to "stretches of time"?

Some alternatives to "stretches of time" include "periods of time", "spans of time", or "durations of time", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "long periods" or "long stretches of time"?

While both are grammatically correct, "long "stretches of time"" emphasizes the continuous or extended nature of the period more than "long periods" does.

What is the difference between "intervals of time" and "stretches of time"?

"Intervals of time" refers to periods separated by events or other periods, while ""stretches of time"" typically implies continuous, uninterrupted durations.