a lengthy hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lengthy hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hearing that takes a considerable amount of time, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "The committee held a lengthy hearing to discuss the proposed legislation, allowing ample time for public input."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Following the release of its report, the Permanent SubCommittee on Investigations held a lengthy hearing Friday.

The New Yorker

After a lengthy hearing (August 17 November 10), the House of Lords abandoned the bill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The court decision came after a lengthy hearing to determine if there was enough evidence to proceed.

The New York Times

The 27-year-old prop denied the offence but he was found guilty following a lengthy hearing in Sydney.

The Guardian - Sport

She added that "this planning board was unlike anything we had experienced before," referring to a lengthy hearing process during which opponents fought the proposal at every turn.

The New York Times

One of the suits already resulted in a lengthy hearing held late last year, which included testimony by both police officials and Bronx residents who had been stopped.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Like a Senate version last week, the lengthy hearing got increasingly tetchy, with both sides frequently interrupting each other, and Kerry – who entered on crutches after breaking his leg cycling – was forced to stand and stretch at times.

The Guardian

The complaint resulted in lengthy hearing proceedings, which featured a series of auditory tests that pitted a Hammond costing about $2600 against a $75,000 Skinner pipe organ in the University of Chicago Rockefeller Chapel.

Wikipedia

A20 B.T.K. Hearing Begins Horrifying details, grotesque photographs and evidence of depraved sexual fantasies emerged in the opening day of a lengthy sentencing hearing for Dennis L. Rader, the serial killer who terrorized Wichita for three decades as B.T.K., a name he chose for his methods -- bind, torture, kill.

The New York Times

After a lengthy preliminary hearing, the trial judge in January 1986 ordered all seven to stand trial on a total of 135 counts of molesting 14 children.

The New York Times

The decision to keep him in custody, which was reported by Taiwan television, came after a lengthy court hearing on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lengthy hearing", ensure the context clearly indicates what made the hearing long: Was it due to many witnesses, complex evidence, or contentious debate? Providing specifics enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "a lengthy hearing" without providing context. The phrase itself doesn't convey why the hearing was lengthy. Always aim to provide context about the reason for the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy hearing" functions as a noun phrase, with "lengthy" modifying the noun "hearing". It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lengthy hearing" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a hearing that took a considerable amount of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for use in formal contexts such as news reports, legal documents, and professional discussions. While interchangeable with alternatives like "an extended hearing" or "a protracted hearing", it’s important to provide context about why the hearing was lengthy to ensure clarity. Common sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, affirming its wide acceptance and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended hearing

Replaces "lengthy" with "extended", suggesting a duration longer than usual.

a protracted hearing

Uses "protracted" to emphasize the hearing's drawn-out nature, often implying tediousness.

a long drawn-out hearing

Adds emphasis with the idiomatic "drawn-out", highlighting the hearing's perceived slowness.

a very long hearing

Simple and direct substitution, emphasizing the duration using "very long".

a time-consuming hearing

Focuses on the amount of time the hearing requires, using "time-consuming".

a prolonged hearing

Similar to "protracted" but perhaps less negative in connotation, suggesting a hearing that continues for an extended period.

a comprehensive hearing

Shifts the focus to the hearing's thoroughness rather than just its length.

an extensive hearing

Similar to "comprehensive", emphasizing the breadth and scope of the hearing.

a marathon hearing

Uses the metaphor "marathon" to convey the hearing's exceptional length and endurance required.

a multi-day hearing

Specifies the hearing's duration as lasting several days.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lengthy hearing" to describe legal proceedings, committee meetings, or other formal inquiries that take a significant amount of time. For example, "The committee conducted "a lengthy hearing" to gather evidence before making a decision".

What are some alternatives to "a lengthy hearing"?

Alternatives include "an extended hearing", "a protracted hearing", or "a prolonged hearing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a lengthy hearing"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a hearing took a considerable amount of time, often due to its complexity, the number of witnesses, or the depth of the investigation.

What distinguishes "a lengthy hearing" from a regular hearing?

The term "a lengthy hearing" suggests that the hearing exceeded the typical or expected duration, implying it was more involved or complex than usual. It's not merely about being a hearing, but about the unusual duration.