a lengthy history of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lengthy history of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has a long history or a complex background. For example, "The poem has a lengthy history of influences from various cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Stevens, 33, has a lengthy history of run-ins with the law, dating to high school".

The New York Times

The group "has a lengthy history of justifying Arab violence against Israelis," Mr. Hikind said.

The New York Times

Young pitched well for the Mets — his earned run average was 1.88 — but he has a lengthy history of injuries..

The New York Times - Sports

"They face all these current challenges on top of a lengthy history of being overmanned and suffering state interference.

The Guardian - Business

The long-awaited proxy filing includes a lengthy history of the merger, detailing in 26 pages the negotiations that led to the Dell transaction.

The New York Times

He has a lengthy history of rape and domestic violence and the question highlighted (not for the first time) by last week's trial is why he wasn't recognised as a danger to women long before he escalated to murder.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Maybe because the Irish have a lengthy history on both sides of the law in America, their court was the most inclusive; it even had a place for me.

Vice

Although the infrequency of data sharing within many research fields makes it difficult to point to examples of the benefits of data sharing on collaboration, some examples can be seen in the genomics community, which has a lengthier history of sharing data.

BMC Ecology

It's important to remember however, that the specific causes of an earthquake are essentially impossible to state categorically, and that California has a rather lengthy history of them.

Huffington Post

Evolution as an idea has a lengthy history, even though the idea of evolution is generally associated with Darwin today.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

That doctor had an admitted lengthy history of drug abuse -- he once passed out after taking a drug injection while a patient was beneath him prepared for surgery -- as well as other attempts to defraud the government, such as draft dodging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lengthy history of" to introduce a background or context that is important for understanding the present situation or subject.

Common error

Don't use "a lengthy history of" when a simpler phrase like "a long history of" or "historical background" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy history of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It describes the extended duration and complexity of past events or developments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lengthy history of" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the extended duration and complexity of past events. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it serves to provide context and underscore the importance of historical backgrounds. When writing, consider whether the emphasis of "lengthy" is truly necessary or if a simpler alternative like "a long history of" would suffice. This ensures clarity and avoids unnecessary verbosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long history of

Replaces "lengthy" with "long", indicating a simpler expression of duration.

a considerable history of

Uses "considerable" to emphasize the significance of the history.

a longstanding history of

Highlights the established nature of the history over a significant period.

a deep-rooted history of

Emphasizes that the history is deeply established and fundamental.

a rich history of

Suggests the history is full of diverse events and experiences.

an extensive track record of

Shifts focus to past performance and accomplishments.

a prolonged involvement in

Highlights sustained participation or association over time.

a sustained period of

Focuses on the continuity and endurance of a particular period.

a chronicle of

Emphasizes a detailed and chronological account of past events.

a tradition of

Highlights consistent practices and customs passed down through generations.

FAQs

How can I use "a lengthy history of" in a sentence?

Use "a lengthy history of" to introduce a topic or subject that has a substantial past. For example, "The region has "a lengthy history of" conflict" indicates that the area has experienced numerous conflicts over time.

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

You can use alternatives like "a long history of", "a considerable history of", or "an extensive background in" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a lengthy history"?

While "history" inherently implies a passage of time, "lengthy" emphasizes the extended duration or complexity of that history. It's not strictly redundant, but consider whether the emphasis is necessary for your intended meaning.

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

"A lengthy history of" suggests a subject with a significant and detailed past, while "a brief history of" indicates a short or summarized account of the past. The choice depends on the level of detail you wish to convey.