Rather lengthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Rather lengthy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is longer than expected or desired, often in reference to text or explanations. Example: "The report was rather lengthy, making it difficult to extract the key points quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm proud of my rather lengthy list of accomplishments," he said Thursday.

The Washington Post

For a rather lengthy list of potential problems to worry about, see Tom Herbig's Little Shop of Horrors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We have just posted a rather lengthy announcement on bspace with more guidelines and details about the research project presentations.

University of California, Berkeley

This required a rather lengthy online search through the SHARP web site until documentation for a similar product was uncovered.

Cornell University

The timing of the key votes on Saturday was unclear, but it will be a rather lengthy process.

The New York Times

Distributed on California Indian Music Project, Northwest region, tape 13, side B. Description: The song is preceded by rather lengthy account of how it was conceived.

University of California, Berkeley

They used the information to create a rather lengthy profile of me, in which I was presented as a sinister neoconservative thinktank "operative".

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems a rather lengthy and tedious report of what, after all, is a routine writing task created by a problem of minor importance.

Harvard Business Review

A. Windows 98 very helpfully adds most newly installed applications to the Programs list, but the list can get rather lengthy.

The New York Times - Tech

Characters and situations emerge rather too patly, and sometimes without credible development, on the rather lengthy route "Crossing Brooklyn" takes to tie up its ends.

The New York Times

Alongside the rather lengthy main campaign, Arkham City is teaming with side missions, which players can dip in and out of at their leisure.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather lengthy" to describe documents, processes, or discussions that are longer than expected but not excessively so. It's suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "rather lengthy" in very informal settings; phrases like "kind of long" or "pretty long" are more appropriate for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather lengthy" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate that something is longer than expected or desired. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

3%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather lengthy" serves as a useful descriptor when something is longer than anticipated, without being excessively long. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in very informal situations, opting for alternatives like "kind of long". Overall, "rather lengthy" offers a balanced way to describe length, contributing to clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite long

Emphasizes the length but may suggest it's more noticeable or significant.

somewhat extensive

Implies comprehensiveness in addition to length, suggesting a detailed or thorough treatment.

fairly prolonged

Focuses on the duration or continuation of something over time.

relatively extended

Indicates a length that is longer compared to a standard or average.

moderately protracted

Suggests the length is somewhat drawn out, potentially implying it's tedious.

kind of long

A more informal way of saying "rather lengthy", suitable for casual contexts.

pretty long

Another informal alternative, indicating the length is noticeable but not excessively so.

somewhat long

Indicates the length is somewhat noticeable, without strong emphasis.

appreciably long

Highlights that the length is significant or easily recognized.

noticeably long

Focuses on the length being something that is easily observed or detected.

FAQs

How can I use "rather lengthy" in a sentence?

You can use "rather lengthy" to describe something that is longer than expected. For example, "The report was "rather lengthy", making it difficult to extract the key points quickly."

What phrases are similar to "rather lengthy"?

Alternatives include "quite long", "somewhat extensive", or "fairly prolonged", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "rather lengthy" formal or informal?

"Rather lengthy" is generally considered a semi-formal to formal phrase. In casual contexts, alternatives like "kind of long" might be more suitable.

When should I use "rather lengthy" instead of "very long"?

Use "rather lengthy" when you want to indicate that something is longer than expected or desired, but without the strong emphasis of "very long". It suggests a moderate degree of lengthiness.