a great length of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great length of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant amount of time or distance, often in contexts where something is being discussed or explained in detail. Example: "The project took a great length of time to complete, but the results were worth the effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Then he opened the door to an immense, pristine kitchen, dominated by a great length of polished black stone.

The New Yorker

His S.C. Johnson building becomes a great length of dark tartan, only just tethered to the earth; while the Seagram skyscraper looms like a giant black mirror, eerily reflecting nothing back of the world.

The Guardian

Part of what's informed this piece is Jung's 'Man and His Symbols.' We are born with the knowledge of the history that's preceded us, to put in a very simple way something which Jung took a great length of time to explain.

The New York Times - Arts

But these predecessors, for all their charm, wrote either chronicles of local events, of one city or another, covering a great length of time, or comprehensive accounts of travel over a large part of the known world, none of them creating a unity, an organic whole.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"That being said," Thieken continued, "when [Atiya] was brought to the school board, the school board deliberated for a great length of time as to what the punishment should be.

Huffington Post

As such, it seems unlikely that any ornithocheiroid could sustain a bipedal stance for a great length of time and would have had to overcome the hindlimb-forelimb length dichotomy inherent in their quadrupedal gait for sustained terrestrial locomotion.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Tromholt suggested that future studies should investigate the effect of quitting Facebook for a greater length of time and look at other social networks, including Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.

The Guardian - Tech

The combination fracture group had a greater length of hospitalisation (18 vs 13 days p < 0.0001).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The second factor indicates that the container SSS volume decreases for countries with a greater length of railway.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

The combination fracture occurs much more commonly in women and patients require a greater length of hospitalisation.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The results also show that, to achieve the same heating power, the flat-panel requires a greater length of trench than the horizontal tube exchangers, and a lower trench length than the vertical ones.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great length of", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to time, distance, or another measurable extent. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a great length of" can sometimes sound verbose. In formal writing, consider more concise alternatives like "considerable time" or "significant duration" for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great length of" functions as a determiner phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate a significant amount of time, distance, or extent. Ludwig provides examples where it quantifies deliberation time and the time taken for an explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great length of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize a significant amount of time, distance, or extent. While Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable, it's important to consider the context. It appears more frequently in formal and neutral registers, such as news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "a considerable amount of" or "a significant period of" may offer conciseness, "a great length of" adds a particular emphasis to the duration or extent being described. Be mindful of overuse, particularly in formal writing, where more direct alternatives might improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable duration of

Emphasizes the duration or time aspect, suggesting a notable period.

a significant period of

Highlights the importance and duration of the timeframe involved.

an extended duration of

Focuses on the prolonged nature of the time involved.

a prolonged span of

Implies a continuous and extended period.

a substantial extent of

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope of something, rather than time.

a vast stretch of

Highlights the extensive nature, often referring to distance or space.

a long stretch of

A more casual alternative emphasizing length or duration.

a good while of

An informal phrase denoting a considerable amount of time.

a large measure of

Highlights the degree or quantity, applicable in abstract contexts.

an appreciable amount of

Emphasizes that something is noticeable or significant in quantity or time.

FAQs

How can I use "a great length of" in a sentence?

You can use "a great length of" to describe duration, distance, or extent. For instance, "The school board deliberated for "a great length of time"" or "Jung took "a great length of time" to explain it".

What are some alternatives to "a great length of"?

Alternatives include "a considerable amount of", "a significant period of", or "an extended duration of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a great length of time" or "a long time"?

"A long time" is generally more concise and often preferred in informal contexts. "A great length of time" can add emphasis or formality, but overuse may sound verbose.

What's the difference between "a great length of" and "a greater length of"?

"A great length of" indicates a substantial amount, while "a greater length of" implies a comparison, suggesting that one thing is longer or more extensive than another.