Meaning & use
long stretch of time
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
a long period of time, especially one that feels continuous or uninterrupted
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase. It often follows words like 'a', 'for', or 'over': for a long stretch of time.
Patterns
- a long stretch of time
- for a long stretch of time
- over a long stretch of time
She lived abroad for a long stretch of time before returning home.
The company has been profitable over a long stretch of time.
After a long stretch of time without rain, the river dried up.
phrasefixed phrase
a lengthy continuous period during which something happens without a break
Grammar: Often used with 'without' or 'of' to describe what happens during the period.
Patterns
- a long stretch of time without something
- a long stretch of time of something
He worked for a long stretch of time without taking a day off.
There was a long stretch of time of silence before anyone spoke.
Common combinations
- a long stretch of time
- A long stretch of time passed before we heard from him again.
- for a long stretch of time
- They stayed in the same house for a long stretch of time.
- over a long stretch of time
- The climate has changed over a long stretch of time.
- a long stretch of time without
- She went a long stretch of time without seeing her family.
- after a long stretch of time
- After a long stretch of time, the old friends met again.
Synonyms and how they differ
- long period
- More neutral and common in formal writing; 'long stretch of time' often suggests a continuous, sometimes tiring duration.
- extended period
- More formal and often used in academic or business contexts; 'long stretch of time' is more conversational.
- lengthy spell
- British English and slightly literary; 'long stretch of time' is more universal.
Opposites
Commonly confused: long stretch of time or long time?
long stretch of time vs long time
A general phrase for a large amount of time, not necessarily continuous; 'long stretch of time' emphasizes an unbroken period.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase 'long stretch of time' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase needs an article 'a' before 'long stretch of time' and the preposition 'for' when indicating duration. Option 0 has both. Option 1 misses the article; option 2 misses 'for'; option 3 misses both.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “long stretch of time”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.