a lengthy procedure

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lengthy procedure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a process or task that is long or time-consuming. Example: The application for a student visa is a lengthy procedure that involves multiple forms, interviews, and background checks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It's a lengthy procedure for them, and they're not so capable".

The New York Times

Cheques are on the wane and cashing foreign ones is a lengthy procedure which brings very little return for the bank.

The Guardian - Money

Next door, in Alabama, Gov. Donald Siegelman has also proposed substantial raises for teachers, in exchange for making it easier to dismiss them without a lengthy procedure.

The New York Times

Perhaps most significantly, Mr. Genachowski will propose that the net neutrality principles be formally adopted as commission rules, a lengthy procedure that involves several rounds of public comment.

The New York Times - Tech

It was also unclear whether any action would be taken to withdraw his citizenship, a lengthy procedure that is very rare.

The New York Times

Though getting approval for a subdivision is usually a lengthy procedure, "the amount of time it took is extraordinary," said Adam Wekstein, a land-use lawyer who represented Mr. Ciardullo during the last three years of the process.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"It is a cumbersome procedure and a very lengthy procedure, so we are obviously hoping to avoid that," said Scarola.

The Guardian

However, the NIOX MINO® sampling at 2 ml/sec was a very lengthy procedure and fewer participants achieved it.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Moreover, we used only unilateral stimulation for recording to avoid an excessively lengthy procedure and to enhance patients' comfort.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

You can have your marriage annulled in Catholicism, but one must fulfill one of a series of requirements, in what can be a costly and lengthy procedure.

Independent

Skolem (1920) gave an elegant solution to the Elimination Problem posed by Schröder for the calculus of classes by showing that if one added predicates to express "has at least $n$ elements", for each $n = 1, 2, \ldots$, then there was a simple (but often lengthy) procedure to convert a first-order formula about classes into a quantifier-free formula.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, use "a lengthy procedure" to emphasize the extended time or numerous steps involved. This can set expectations or explain delays.

Common error

Avoid using "a lengthy procedure" when the focus is on complexity rather than duration. If a procedure is intricate but not necessarily long, consider using phrases like "a complex process" or "an involved method" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy procedure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a specific process characterized by its duration or the extensive steps involved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lengthy procedure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe processes that require significant time or numerous steps. According to Ludwig, it's most prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts. While suitable for formal and neutral communication, it's essential to differentiate it from "a complex procedure", which emphasizes intricacy rather than duration. When using "a lengthy procedure", ensure the context appropriately reflects an emphasis on the time or effort involved, setting realistic expectations for the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a drawn-out process

Emphasizes the extended duration and potential tedium.

a time-consuming task

Highlights the amount of time required.

a prolonged operation

Suggests an activity that takes a considerable amount of time to complete.

an extensive undertaking

Implies a large scale and potentially complex effort.

a protracted affair

Indicates a situation that has been allowed to continue for too long.

a cumbersome formality

Highlights the inconvenience and complexity of the process.

a tedious exercise

Emphasizes the boring and repetitive nature of the task.

a long-winded method

Implies unnecessary detail or complexity.

a labyrinthine process

Suggests a process that is complex and difficult to navigate.

a marathon endeavor

Implies a long and challenging undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lengthy procedure" to describe any process that takes a significant amount of time or involves many steps. For example, "Applying for a patent can be "a lengthy procedure"".

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

You can use alternatives like "a time-consuming process", "a drawn-out process", or "a prolonged operation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a lengthy procedure" in formal writing?

Yes, "a lengthy procedure" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to clearly convey that a process requires considerable time or effort. It is common in legal, scientific, and business contexts.

What's the difference between "a lengthy procedure" and "a complex procedure"?

"A lengthy procedure" refers to the duration of the process, indicating it takes a lot of time. "A complex procedure", on the other hand, refers to the intricacy and difficulty of the process, regardless of how long it takes.