swaths of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"swaths of time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large, often indeterminate amount of time, when the exact amount is unimportant. For example: "I've been working on this project for swaths of time, and I'm still not done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

One of the many pleasures here is understanding how the stories intersect and how each, despite the large swaths of time encompassed, reveals only versions of lives.

The New York Times - Books

Books are important, Mike writes, because "they allow a profound connection across huge swaths of time and space between two individuals.

The New York Times - Books

It's best to ask for the least time necessary to get closure with one or two other employers, and not to ask for large swaths of time just to generically "see what happens".

Harvard University

If some of those strengths are present in the new novel, they seem adrift in its larger swaths of time and space, diluted by waves of politics and history that Lahiri herself has chosen to bring in.

The New York Times - Books

In "Lost City," glances as between Percy and his wife, Nina Sienna Millerr), his intellectual associate and companion in his mission (but who isn't allowed to accompany him physically into the jungle)—fill instants with vast swaths of time.

The New Yorker

Mouse (a name she answers to but loathes) is appalled when she loses slivers or great swaths of time, waking up in strangers' beds -- courtesy of the ever randy Loins -- or, worse, months later in another city.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

That initial swath of time when her kids moved on?

The Washington Post

"Well, I've lived for 79 years so you're allowing yourself a bit of a sweeping swath of time.

The Guardian

Late in the first quarter, he and Fratello were so comfortable at monopolizing a swath of time with dueling analyses that Fratello teasingly told Albert, "Feel free at any time to jump in".

The New York Times - Sports

And it covers a broad swath of time and geography, bringing together 13th- to 16th-century hanging scrolls not only from Japan but also from China, where Zen, called Chan in Chinese, originated.

The New York Times - Arts

For a dozen tumultuous years Frank and Nancy Sinatra were man and wife — a swath of time that included hearth, home and children for her and, for him, unparalleled fame and fortune, record deals, motion pictures and a string of extramarital romances that were grist for the gossip columns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swaths of time" to describe periods when the exact duration is less important than the fact that a significant amount of time is involved. For example, "The research required swaths of time dedicated to data analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "swaths of time" when a more specific timeframe can be provided. Instead of saying "The project took swaths of time", specify "The project took several months" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swaths of time" functions as a prepositional phrase often used adverbially to modify verbs or clauses, indicating a substantial amount of time devoted to an activity or event. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swaths of time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate considerable periods. As indicated by Ludwig, it’s suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. While not extremely common, the phrase effectively conveys the idea of significant time investments. Remember to use it when emphasizing time duration over specific time frames and avoid overuse in favor of more specific details when available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large spans of time

Substitutes "swaths" with "large spans", emphasizing the breadth of time.

broad stretches of time

Synonymous substitution, maintaining the breadth emphasis.

vast stretches of time

Replaces "swaths" with "vast stretches", highlighting the extensive nature of the time involved.

considerable amounts of time

Replaces "swaths" with "considerable amounts", focusing on the quantity of time.

prolonged time periods

Highlights the extended and continuous nature of the duration.

extended periods

Changes the noun to "periods" and uses the adjective "extended" emphasizing length.

extensive durations

Focuses on length, using the term "extensive".

long durations

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize length.

significant timeframes

Uses a more formal term for periods.

appreciable time intervals

Substitutes with synonyms to denote notable periods.

FAQs

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

Use "swaths of time" to describe large, often unspecified amounts of time dedicated to an activity or process. For instance, "The artist dedicated "vast stretches of time" to perfecting their craft."

What can I say instead of "swaths of time"?

You can use alternatives like "extended periods", "large spans of time", or "considerable amounts of time" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "swaths of time" or a more specific time frame?

It depends on the context. Use "swaths of time" when the general idea of a large time investment is more important than the precise duration. If precision is needed, specify the time frame (e.g., "three years" instead of "significant timeframes").

In what situations is "swaths of time" most appropriate?

"Swaths of time" is suitable when discussing processes, projects, or activities that require considerable, but not necessarily precisely defined, time investments. It is less appropriate when a specific deadline or duration is known and should be communicated.