a length of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a length of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate a measurement of distance, duration, or degree. For example, you could say, "The snake was a length of two feet long."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across the treatment bed was a length of string.

The New York Times - Travel

The movie was tested at a length of 3 hours, and again at a length of 2 hours 25 minutes.

The New York Times

Cacops reached a length of about 40 cm (16 inches).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mylodon attained a length of about 3 metres (10 feet).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scats commonly reach a length of 30 cm (1 foot).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has a length of 430 miles (690 km).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Castoroides attained a length of about 2.5 metres (7.5 feet).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It stops when you stop for a length of time.

TechCrunch

Savage calculated a length of four hours.

Wikipedia

A man rolls out a length of carpet.

Vice

The bridge has a length of 88 m.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a length of" when you want to provide a quantifiable measurement, whether it's physical distance, duration, or another type of extent. Ensure you specify the units of measurement (e.g., inches, meters, years) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a length of" when describing something that doesn't have a clear linear dimension. For example, it's more appropriate to say "a period of time" rather than "a length of time" if you're emphasizing the duration rather than a measurable extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a length of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, providing information about its size, duration, or extent. Ludwig examples show it defining physical dimensions, time spans, or abstract quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

18%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Huffington Post

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a length of" is a versatile phrase used to specify measurements and dimensions across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While alternatives like "a duration of" or "an extent of" may be more appropriate in certain situations, "a length of" remains a common and acceptable choice for describing measurable quantities. Be mindful to specify units of measurement and avoid using it for non-linear contexts to maintain clarity. The phrase is found in encyclopedias, news articles and wikis, reflecting its neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distance of

Specifically refers to spatial separation between two points.

a height of

Specifically refers to the vertical dimension of an object.

a width of

Specifically refers to the horizontal dimension of an object.

a duration of

Focuses on the time something lasts, rather than physical extent.

a period of

Similar to duration, but often refers to a specific, defined timeframe.

a measure of

More general, referring to any type of quantifiable amount.

an extent of

Emphasizes the scope or range of something, rather than a linear measurement.

a stretch of

Implies a continuous, often elongated, expanse.

a span of

Similar to stretch, but can also apply to time intervals.

an amount of

Refers to a quantity of something, not necessarily a measurable dimension.

FAQs

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

You can use "a length of" to describe the measurement of something. For example, "The board was "a length of" two meters" or "He studied for "a length of" three hours".

What are some alternatives to "a length of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a duration of", "a distance of", or "an extent of".

When is it appropriate to use "a length of" versus "a period of"?

"A length of" is more suitable for describing measurable distances or physical dimensions. "A period of" is more appropriate when describing durations or spans of time, though they can sometimes overlap.

Is it correct to say "a length of time"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, but it's often more natural to say "a period of time" or "a duration of time", especially in formal writing.