It had been a short period of time vs It had not been a long period of time

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning, emphasizing that a short amount of time has passed. The choice between them depends on the specific context and the nuance the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 598 views

It had been a short period of time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that a brief duration has passed.

This phrase is used to emphasize that a short period of time has elapsed. It is suitable for situations where the focus is on the brevity of the time frame.

Examples:

It had been a short period of time since we last met.
It had been a short period of time since the incident occurred.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's only been a short period in therapeutic time.
Well, it's only been a short period in therapeutic time.
Monitoring over such a short period of time is incompatible with real-time analysis.
Of generations over a short period of time.
For us to profile in such a short period of time.
You formed a pretty strong attachment in a short period of time.
You formed a pretty strong attachment in a short period of time.
A full discharge after a short period of time is not appropriate in all circumstances.
The Commission's forecasts have changed quite drastically within a short period of time.
Frontex has made good progress in a short period of time.
Camp Liberty was built to accommodate young American soldiers for a short period of time.
Furthermore, users have also switched black colorformers within a short period of time to produce the same end paper product.
It's a lot of information in a short period of time.
After a short period of time così.
We can only divert surveillance for a short period of time.
But since the illness struck all three in a short period of time, we must assume the experience is recent and unusual.
But it wasn't clear how to make the mark ii decidedly faster in a short period of time.
Holding such a position against a Ha'tak would be virtually impossible, even for a short period of time.
You've made such progress in such a short period of time.
That's an awful lot of pills and alcohol in a short period of time.

Alternatives:

It had been a brief period of time
It had been a small amount of time
It had been a quick interval
It had been a little while

It had not been a long period of time

This phrase is also correct and commonly used in English to convey that a short duration has passed.

This phrase is used to highlight that a short period of time has transpired. It is suitable for situations where the emphasis is on the absence of a lengthy time frame.

Examples:

It had not been a long period of time since we last spoke.
It had not been a long period of time since the project started.

Show examples from the web [+]

The changes occurred over a long period of time.
The victim could have been poisoned over a long period of time.
You may have to take this treatment over a long period of time.
We are talking about a long period of time - three decades.
Reducing it requires achieving high primary surpluses for a long period of time.
They took place before the parties set their quotation prices, repeatedly and over a long period of time.
Fossil fuels have been the lifeblood of society for a long period of time.
Changes could be made only over a long period of time.
According to the engineering logs her engines have been modified over a LONG period of time.
Over a long period of time, away from other distractions.
If someone live in the same environment for a long period of time.
Respect has to be earned over a long period of time.
I think that when people are stuck together in a small space for a long period of time, they lose perspective.
But I was just at the morgue, and I do know that your boy appears to have been severely abused over a long period of time.
While living here for a long period of time, that's what I learned.
The parasite holds up in a dormant state for a long period of time.
Above all, the calculation should be straightforward, i.e. a long period of time must not be needed in order to draw up the procedure.
This situation shows that the Chinese producers are able to quickly export and penetrate new markets and to maintain a dominant position for a long period of time.
Avoid soaking in a hot bath for a long period of time, which can make the patch come off.
I wear this when I am apart from him for a long period of time.

Alternatives:

It had not been an extended period of time
It had not been a prolonged duration
It had not been a lengthy interval
It had not been a considerable amount of time

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It had been a short period of time vs It had not been a long period of time