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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
that spans from
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "that spans from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a range or extent of something, often in terms of time, space, or topics. Example: "The project timeline is extensive, that spans from January to December of this year."
✓ Grammatically correct
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
That shop, now a museum, helped spawn a retail empire that spans 8,100 stores in 15 countries generating $401bn£248bnbn) of revenue annually.
News & Media
Their project is very ambitious: "The Fountains" is a love story that spans 1,000 years as a man searches for a cure for his terminally ill wife.
News & Media
All vertebrate Dkks contain both the Dkk_N and colipase fold domains, separated by a non-conserved linker region that spans 50 55 aa in Dkk1, Dkk2 and Dkk4, but only 12 aa in Dkk3.
Science & Research
Behind these cab-out-of-water foreign fleets is the relationship between two men with overlapping personal and business interests, identical yet inverse automotive niches and a friendship that spans 3,500 miles.
News & Media
You can also arrange guided trips into Colombia's most rugged region, La Guajira, a region of arid deserts and scrublands, snowy peaks and tropical rainforests that spans 8,000 square miles.
News & Media
Here a rotating sampling of a collection that spans 5,000 years and many cultures gives a sense of the geography, history, materials, function and themes of the pieces on display throughout the museum.
News & Media
They are part of an inorganic metal uptake functional unit that spans MAP3731c to MAP3736c.
Science
Genotypic data generated a genetic linkage map that spans 1085 cM distributed in 12 major and three minor linkage groups.
Science
Experimental analysis of D. hydei showed that the D.h.H protein with 1158 residues is somewhat larger than the D.m.H orthologue that spans 1077 amino acids [ 16, 19, 20].
Science
Finally socio-economic status linked to an area is not static over time and we have used the 2006 SEIFA codes over a period that spans 2005 to 2012 again potentially weakening the relative accuracy of imputed socio-economic status.
Science
He started 60 games in a career that spanned 1986 to 1993.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "that spans from", ensure the sentence clearly defines the starting and ending points of the range being described. Be precise with units (e.g., time, distance) to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "that spans from" when you only intend to specify one endpoint of a range. The phrase implies a defined start and end; otherwise, alternatives like "starting from" or "beginning with" are more appropriate.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "that spans from" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun. It indicates the range or extent of something, specifying a starting point. While the examples in Ludwig do not directly contain this phrase, they showcase similar uses of "that spans" to describe duration or coverage.
Frequent in
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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Wiki
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Encyclopedias
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "that spans from" is a grammatically sound construction used to specify a range or duration with a defined starting point. While Ludwig's examples don't directly feature this exact phrase, the platform indicates that it is a usable construction. When using "that spans from", ensure that both the beginning and end of the range are clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "that extends from" or "that ranges from" offer similar meanings but might be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, making it useful in academic, professional, and journalistic writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that extends from
Replaces "spans" with "extends", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.
that ranges from
Substitutes "spans" with "ranges", focusing on the varying degrees or limits of something.
that covers from
Uses "covers" instead of "spans", emphasizing the inclusion of all points within a given extent.
that encompasses from
A more formal alternative using "encompasses", suggesting a comprehensive inclusion.
that stretches from
Replaces "spans" with "stretches", highlighting the physical extent or reach of something.
that runs from
Suggests a continuous path or duration originating from a specific point.
that goes from
A more informal alternative indicating a progression or connection from one point to another.
that reaches from
Emphasizes the act of attaining or extending to a particular endpoint.
that includes from
Focuses on the act of containing elements starting from a specified point.
that originates from and continues to
Provides a more explicit description of the range, specifying both the starting and ending points.
FAQs
How can I use "that spans from" in a sentence?
Use "that spans from" to indicate a range or duration with a clear beginning and end. For example, "The project timeline "that spans from" January to December includes several key milestones".
What are some alternatives to "that spans from"?
Consider using phrases like "that extends from", "that ranges from", or "that covers from" to express a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context.
Is "that spans from" grammatically correct?
Yes, "that spans from" is grammatically correct. However, ensure that the sentence structure is clear and that both the starting and ending points of the span are explicitly defined.
When should I use "that spans from" versus "that spans"?
"That spans" implies a general coverage or extent without necessarily defining a specific starting point. "That spans from" is more precise, indicating a range that begins at a particular point. Use "that spans" when the origin is less important than the overall coverage.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested