undetermined amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undetermined amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a time period that has not been specified or is unknown. Example: "The project will be on hold for an undetermined amount of time due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

After this week, the daily quiz is going to take a sabbatical for an undetermined amount of time.

The Guardian

Lieutenant Meyer said the additional police would patrol the Long Beach area after hours for an undetermined amount of time.

The New York Times

Colonel Lind will take an undetermined amount of time to consider the evidence and come up with a verdict.

The New York Times

Although Woods remains out of sight for an undetermined amount of time, he is not out of mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Moore, 46, will continue to work at the company in a transitional role for an undetermined amount of time, the company said.

The New York Times

The mother, Amber Hill, 23, apologized in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court before Judge John Sutula committed her for an undetermined amount of time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The aim is to allow shareholders to exchange their Viacom stock for an undetermined amount of Blockbuster stock based on a price at the time of the transaction that will be attractive enough for shareholders to agree.

The New York Times

The robber fled with an undetermined amount of money.

The New York Times

Both assailants fled with an undetermined amount of money.

The New York Times

The robbers fled with an undetermined amount of cash, Mr. Browne said.

The New York Times

The students used the network to quietly arrange the sale of an undetermined amount of marijuana.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undetermined amount of time", ensure the context clearly indicates whose perspective is defining the time as undetermined. Is it unknown to everyone, or just to the speaker?

Common error

Avoid using "undetermined amount of time" when a rough estimate is available. If you know something will take "at least a few weeks", it's more helpful to say that than to suggest total uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undetermined amount of time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by indicating duration. Ludwig examples show it describing how long something will last, such as a project delay or a leave of absence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undetermined amount of time" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that the duration of something is unknown or not specified. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When employing this phrase, consider if the uncertainty is universal or specific to the speaker and avoid using it when a more precise estimate is available. Alternatives like "indefinite period" or "unspecified duration" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unknown duration

Uses "unknown" as a direct synonym for "undetermined", maintaining similar structure and meaning.

unspecified time

Shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of time not being clearly defined.

indefinite period

Replaces "amount of time" with a single word suggesting lack of defined limit.

unspecified duration

Substitutes "undetermined" and "amount of time" with synonyms conveying a similar meaning of an unstated time frame.

open-ended period

Uses a compound adjective to describe a period without a pre-set conclusion.

unfixed time frame

Emphasizes the lack of a set boundary rather than the lack of knowledge about the duration.

unestablished timeframe

Highlights that the timeframe has not been set or decided.

unquantified time

Focuses on the inability to measure or define the extent of the time.

unresolved time

Implies that the duration has not been sorted out or determined yet.

unascertained time

Stresses that the duration has not been found out or determined through investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "undetermined amount of time" to indicate that a duration is not known or specified. For instance, "The project is delayed for an "undetermined amount of time" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What is a good alternative to "undetermined amount of time"?

Alternatives to "undetermined amount of time" include "indefinite period", "unspecified duration", or "unknown duration", each conveying a similar sense of an unstated time frame.

Is it better to say "undetermined amount of time" or "unknown amount of time"?

Both "undetermined amount of time" and "unknown amount of time" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context. "Unknown amount of time" might be slightly more direct.

What does "undetermined amount of time" imply?

Using "undetermined amount of time" suggests that the precise duration of something is not known or cannot be predicted at the moment of speaking. It implies a degree of uncertainty regarding the length of a particular situation or activity.