over the period of time vs over a period of time

Both phrases 'over the period of time' and 'over a period of time' are commonly used in English. However, 'over a period of time' is more widely accepted and preferred in formal writing. 'Over the period of time' is also used but may sound slightly less natural.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 2542 views

This phrase is correct but less commonly used than the alternative.

"over the period of time"

This phrase is used to refer to something happening or changing during a specific duration of time.

Examples:

The company's profits increased over the period of time.

Show examples from the web [+]

There has to be some way in which we could help people of this kind come up to the standard necessary, or at least present the relevant dossier over the period of time we now have.
a client-specific notice which indicates the total value of the investment, including the value of any bonus allotted, and the rate of bonus over the period of time to which the bonus notice relates, or
A WNTE event is defined as a single set of integrated emissions over the period of time.
Where fees or charges are calculated in accordance with point (a) of paragraph 1, the fees or charges collected by competent authorities shall not exceed the overall costs incurred for the official controls performed over the period of time referred to therein.
I can think of 10 different rehabs he went to, over the period of time.
This is why the tidal effect of the sun is felt on a daily basis rather than over the period of time of Earth's revolution about the sun-Earth center of gravity.
Mr President, I have bizarrely grown to respect the rapporteur of this report over the period of time and I wanted to talk about the petitions in general because they have been of great use to me.
The amount of countervailable subsidy was calculated pursuant to Article 7(3) of the basic Regulation by allocating the amount of subsidy over the period of time which reflects to normal life of the assets in the industry concerned.

Alternatives:

over a period of time
over time
during the period of time
throughout the period of time
across the period of time

This phrase is widely accepted and preferred in formal writing.

"over a period of time"

This phrase is used to indicate that something happens or changes during a specific duration of time.

Examples:

The project will be completed over a period of time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Power is energy expended over a period of time.
Experiment with your Google AdSense placement and track the results over a period of time.
Ideally, you should be increasing your weights over a period of time.
Objectives are normally quantified statements of what the organisation actually intends to achieve over a period of time.
It has become worse over a period of time...
The innovative X-Light Pro feature measures internal colour and brightness, and keeps the set values constant over a period of time using automatic active control.
Unlike steadfast virtues, rhythm involves a controlled flow of energy over a period of time.
Fortunately most souls evolve over a period of time through the experiences of successive lives, and the guidance given to them.
Storytelling, on the other hand, describes situations or events over a period of time.
Your objective is that over a period of time to prepare as many types playing with the mouse's aid.
In the hands of the bankers and over a period of time, money was transformed.
In such cases, hard-won accomplishments are reversed over a period of time through competitive setbacks or a lack of continuing effort.
Life, on the other hand, is comprised of chemical structures that develop over a period of time.
The treatment will take place over a period of time than is absolutely necessary to perform the above described purposes.
As you will imagine, over a period of time the actual registry can get filled with important information, most of which is incorrect, redundant or incomplete.
A big major career in online poker has made some lucky players seriously rich over a period of time.
Typically a customer would need to demonstrate consistently good payment behaviour over a period of time before the credit risk is considered to have decreased.
It is reasonable to authorise such an increase over a period of time to be determined by the degree to which the quota is utilised.
Also, dogs that become anemic over a period of time will fare better than those who have a sudden onset of anemia.
Rhythm is habit, and habits must be formed over a period of time.

Alternatives:

over the period of time
over time
during the period of time
throughout the period of time
across the period of time

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over the period of time vs over a period of time