they span from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they span from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a range or extent of something, often referring to time, distance, or categories. Example: "The events they span from the early 20th century to the present day highlight significant cultural shifts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They span from a few years to twenty-five yealthoughhough the deal, in multiple places, says Iran can never develop a nuclear bomb.

The New Yorker

At first scroll, it appears as though they all could have been shot in the same place; in fact, they span from Lima, Peru, and Sharjah, U.A.E., to Winslow, Arizona.

The New Yorker

They span from a "Viking Trail" at Clifford's Tower in York (10am-4pm daily; £10.10 for four) to Audley End house and gardens in Essex, where resident cook, Mrs Crocombe, will be giving Victorian cookery classes (Weds-Sun; 11am-4pm; £22.60 fourfour).

Independent

They span from the surface to the depth of approximately 14 km.

Earth, Planets and Space

They span from 1578--about 1578--about 1578--about 60 yearsizing Cubafter 1900, two yearSpainer Madrid lost its Pearl of Antilles in the Spanish-American War.

Los Angeles Times

Let's just empty our whole load on your face so you never ask us about Canada ever again… NORTHERN CANADA The pioneers chased all the natives and frogs up to the top of the country, and now they span from coast to coast.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Holsinger doesn't name the works he pulls from, but they span genres from literature to science to geography. .

Huffington Post

They can span from less than a hundred Kb up to several megabases, as in the RGC2 locus in lettuce [ 21].

BMC Plant Biology

LARPs have existed since the mid-80s when they span off from table-top dice games such as Dungeons & Dragons.

The Guardian

Most are written by supporters, though there are parodies in the mix, and they span genres from country to hip-hop to dance.

The Washington Post

They span the years from 1918 to 1972, although many come from the first part of Adams's career, during the 1920's, 30's and 40's.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they span from" to clearly define the boundaries or scope of a subject, ensuring that the range or duration is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "span" with singular subjects. "It spans from" is incorrect; use "it extends from" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they span from" functions as a verbal phrase used to indicate the extent or range of something, usually in terms of time, location, or category. It establishes a connection between two endpoints or limits. Ludwig examples demonstrate this clearly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they span from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a range or extent between two points. Ludwig examples illustrate its versatility across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. Alternative phrases such as "they range from" or "they extend from" offer similar meanings, with subtle differences in emphasis. Be mindful of subject-verb agreement and avoid using "span" with singular subjects. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides numerous examples to guide proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they range from

This alternative uses "range" instead of "span", emphasizing the variety within the limits.

they extend from

Using "extend" highlights the physical or metaphorical reach between two points.

they cover from

The word "cover" suggests inclusivity of all elements between the limits.

they stretch from

"Stretch" implies a continuous connection across a distance or time.

they run from

"Run" indicates a continuous sequence or progression from one point to another.

they vary from

This option highlights differences within the specified limits.

they go from

"Go" is a simpler way to express movement or progression between two points.

they encompass from

"Encompass" means to completely include something in a range or scope.

they reach from

"Reach" suggests the capability to touch or influence from one point to another.

they traverse from

"Traverse" implies a journey or passage across a range or duration.

FAQs

What does "they span from" mean?

The phrase "they span from" indicates a range or extent between two points, whether in terms of time, distance, or categories.

How can I use "they span from" in a sentence?

You can use "they span from" to describe the range of something, like "The historical records "they span from 1902 to 1950"".

What are some alternatives to "they span from"?

Alternatives include "they range from", "they extend from", or "they cover from", depending on the specific context.

Is "they span from" formal or informal?

The phrase "they span from" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "they encompass from" may be preferred in highly professional settings.