substantial amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a length of time that requires more than a few moments but less than an indefinite amount of time. For example, "We spent a substantial amount of time discussing the proposed budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They will be staying at another address for a substantial amount of time".

The Guardian

Over the course of the tournament, that can add up to a substantial amount of time".

The New York Times - Sports

Those fees aren't enormous if they require a substantial amount of time.

The New York Times

"After a substantial amount of time, they realized that their children had been trafficked".

The New York Times

"But then there is a substantial amount of time to unpull the trigger.

The New York Times

However, building ex vivo ERG apparatus requires substantial amount of time, resources and expertise.

Vision Research

Children with early-onset deformities live with metallic implants for a substantial amount of time.

Spine Deformity

Both testing and simulation require a substantial amount of time and volunteer resources.

Neurocomputing

Senator Schumer added that his bill would give industry a substantial amount of time to switch to other plastics.

The New York Times

Off-screen, he seems to have spent a substantial amount of time trying to shape his children in his image.

The New Yorker

Research is not just useful to know, it's critical and you should spend a substantial amount of time doing it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial amount of time" when you want to convey that a task, process, or event requires more than a brief moment, suggesting a significant investment of time. It's suitable when the exact duration isn't critical but its relative length is noteworthy.

Common error

While "substantial amount of time" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "considerable period" or "significant duration" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial amount of time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or verb phrase, indicating the duration or extent of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial amount of time" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for indicating a notable duration. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's appropriate when the specific time is less important than the fact that it is considerable. Its neutral register allows for use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While its frequency is high, avoid overuse by considering synonyms like "considerable period" or "significant duration". The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Science, cementing its versatility as evident from Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Considerable period

Emphasizes the length of the period.

Significant duration

Highlights the importance or impact of the duration.

Extended timeframe

Focuses on the span of time.

Prolonged interval

Suggests a longer than usual time between events.

Lengthy spell

Implies an uninterrupted period.

Appreciable duration

Indicates that the duration is noticeable and worth mentioning.

Notable period

Highlights that the period is significant or worthy of attention.

Long-lasting phase

Emphasizes the enduring quality of the phase.

Elongated stretch

Focuses on the drawn-out nature of the period.

Good while

A more informal way to express a considerable duration.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial amount of time" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial amount of time" to describe the duration of an activity, event, or process, such as "The project required a "substantial amount of time" to complete" or "He spent a "substantial amount of time" researching the topic".

What are some alternatives to saying "substantial amount of time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "considerable period", "significant duration", or "extended timeframe".

Is it better to say "substantial amount of time" or "significant amount of time"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "significant amount of time" may emphasize the importance or impact of the duration, while "substantial amount of time" simply focuses on the quantity or length of time.

When is it appropriate to use "substantial amount of time" instead of specifying an exact duration?

Use "substantial amount of time" when the precise duration is not known or not relevant, but the length of time is significant enough to warrant mentioning. This can be useful when you want to emphasize the time investment without getting bogged down in specific details.