a lengthy discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lengthy discussion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a conversation or debate that is long and involved. For example, "The staff meeting was cut short due to a lengthy discussion about budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In an earlier article discussing the gravity model used in the present analysis we offer a lengthy discussion of its limitations [ 34].

BMC Health Services Research

"Everything requires a lengthy discussion".

The New York Times

"We had a lengthy discussion," she said.

The New York Times

During a lengthy discussion in Mr. Romney's office in early 2003, Mr. LeBovidge made his case.

The New York Times

On Saturday, Gulliver hosted a lengthy discussion of what might have caused the crash.

The Economist

Finding the time for a lengthy discussion of vaccine safety is never easy.

The New Yorker

The latter includes a lengthy discussion of Haneke's merits as film-maker.

The Guardian - Film

But after a lengthy discussion on motoring, he said: "What are they going to do, f****** sack me?

Independent

Thank goodness for the people at Poets.org, who have put together a lengthy discussion of shark-related poems.

The New Yorker

"We had a lengthy discussion about the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution and the future of Texas," Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

And after a lengthy discussion, the officials ruled the kick passed through the uprights, meaning overtime would decide the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lengthy discussion" when you want to emphasize that a conversation or debate took a significant amount of time. It implies thoroughness and detail.

Common error

While "a lengthy discussion" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "a long discussion" or "an extended conversation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy discussion" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase. It typically describes an event or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lengthy discussion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a conversation or debate that takes a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, consider varying your language with synonyms to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement. The phrase is versatile and effective for conveying the duration and potential depth of a conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long discussion

This is a more direct and simple way to express the same idea, without emphasizing the duration as much.

a prolonged discussion

This alternative emphasizes the extended duration of the discussion, similar to the original phrase.

an extended conversation

Switches from "discussion" to "conversation", implying a less formal exchange, but maintaining the sense of length.

a drawn-out debate

Replaces "discussion" with "debate", suggesting a more argumentative or formal exchange of ideas over a long period.

a comprehensive analysis

This suggests a thorough and detailed examination of a topic, implying depth as well as length.

an exhaustive deliberation

Indicates a very thorough and complete consideration of a matter, often in a formal setting.

a thorough examination

Similar to "comprehensive analysis", but can apply to a broader range of subjects, not just discussions.

a protracted negotiation

Suggests a long and complex series of discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

an in-depth exploration

Implies a detailed and thorough investigation of a topic, similar to a lengthy discussion but with a focus on discovery.

a substantive exchange

This suggests a meaningful and important discussion, although not necessarily focused on the duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lengthy discussion" to describe a conversation that took a considerable amount of time and was likely very detailed. For example, "After "a lengthy discussion", the committee reached a decision."

What can I say instead of "a lengthy discussion"?

You can use alternatives such as "a long discussion", "a prolonged discussion", or "an extended conversation", depending on the context.

Is "a lengthy discussion" formal or informal?

"A lengthy discussion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly formal, it conveys a sense of thoroughness appropriate for various situations.

What's the difference between "a lengthy discussion" and "a brief discussion"?

"A lengthy discussion" implies a conversation that took a significant amount of time and was likely detailed, while "a brief discussion" suggests a short and concise conversation.