a lengthy election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lengthy election" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an election process that takes a considerable amount of time, often due to extended campaigning or voting periods. Example: "The country experienced a lengthy election, with candidates campaigning for over a year before the final vote was cast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

IT HAS been a lengthy election process even by American standards.

The Economist

A lengthy election does not, however, mean voters will be able to see more Harper.

The Guardian - Opinion

Taking advantage of a lengthy election crisis, and buoyed by fighters escaping bombing campaigns in Pakistan, Taliban have gained ground in crucial areas.

The Guardian

Cintas is battling efforts to unionize 17,000 of its workers and labor's demands to let its workers organize by signing cards, rather than by a lengthy election process.

The New York Times

As such, the concession speech is a vital release valve after the build up of a lengthy election campaign that cuts deep into the national consciousness.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A lengthy general election campaign and an arduous finish made it inevitable that abstention this week would be high and, in Italy, high rates of abstention favour the left.In fact, turnout was even worse than anybody expected.

The Economist

Though the markets reacted with delight on Monday when it began to look like the government would fall, attention has since shifted to the prospect of a protracted election campaign, or lengthy negotiations to form a new coalition.

The Guardian

In a post here today, the Indian journalist Samanth Subramanian describes what the lengthy election campaign felt like, noting how Modi, who will forever be associated with the 2002 riots in Gujarat that left more than a thousand people dead, most of them Muslims, tacked to the center, emphasizing economic growth and anti-corruption measures rather than Hindu chauvinism.

The New Yorker

The lengthy election process has added to strains in relations between the United States and Afghanistan, which had already cooled since the Obama administration took office.

The New York Times

Now, with a lengthy re-election campaign ahead of him, Mr. Chávez has once again upended expectations, scattering some of his closest confidants and promoting some old associates in a way that seems certain to provoke alarm at home and abroad.

The New York Times

In an attempt to avoid future lengthy elections, Gregory X introduced stringent rules with the promulgation of Ubi periculum.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lengthy election", consider whether the length of the election is due to campaigning, vote counting, or legal challenges. Be specific in your writing to clarify the cause of the extended duration.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "a lengthy election" without providing context. Explain why the election is considered lengthy. Is it due to recounts, numerous candidates, or legal battles?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy election" functions as a noun phrase, where "lengthy" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "election". This indicates a specific type of election characterized by its duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lengthy election" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe elections characterized by their extended duration. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media, often implying complications such as drawn-out campaigning, disputed results, or complex political negotiations. Alternatives include "a prolonged election" or "a protracted election". When using this phrase, it's best to provide context explaining the reason for the election's length. Although the term is acceptable, it's important to understand its implications of complexity or unusual duration, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prolonged election

Replaces "lengthy" with "prolonged", emphasizing the extended duration.

an extended election

Uses "extended" instead of "lengthy", indicating a longer than usual election period.

a protracted election

Substitutes "lengthy" with "protracted", highlighting the drawn-out nature of the election.

a long-lasting election

Replaces "lengthy" with "long-lasting", focusing on the duration of the election process.

a drawn-out election

Emphasizes the slow and extended nature of the election with "drawn-out".

a time-consuming election

Highlights the amount of time required by the election process.

an enduring election

Focuses on the election's ability to last or continue for a long time.

a marathon election

Metaphorically compares the election to a marathon, emphasizing its long and arduous nature.

a never-ending election

Emphasizes the seemingly endless duration of the election in a more exaggerated way.

a very long election

It is a more literal phrasing of an election lasting longer than average.

FAQs

What does "a lengthy election" mean?

The phrase "a lengthy election" describes an election process that takes a considerable amount of time, often due to extended campaigning, vote counting, or legal challenges.

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

You can use alternatives like "a prolonged election", "an extended election", or "a protracted election" depending on the specific context.

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

Here's an example: "The country experienced a lengthy election, with candidates campaigning for over a year before the final vote was cast."

Is it better to say "a lengthy election" or "a long election"?

Both "a lengthy election" and "a long election" are grammatically correct, but "a lengthy election" often implies a more complex or problematic process than just a "long election".