a little long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that takes more time than expected or is longer in duration than desired. Example: "The meeting was a little long, and I found it hard to stay focused throughout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was a little long.

The New York Times - Style

And a little long in the tooth.

The New York Times

Mercifully clean if a little long.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm going on a little long, I think.

Cornell University

"It just happened to maybe go on a little long".

The New Yorker

It was a little long, and he was open.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

At 20 minutes, the piece is a little long-winded.

The New York Times - Arts

And then the mechanisms might contribute a little long-term transformation or consolidation of information.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Yeah, the men tend to be a little long-winded," Ms. Phillips said.

The New York Times - Books

But more remains to be done, and a little (long-term) vision can't hurt.

The New York Times

The Stabat Mater is a little long-winded and not always quite as good as it sounds.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little long" to describe time, consider whether a more specific unit of measurement (e.g., "a few extra minutes") would provide greater clarity.

Common error

While "a little long" is acceptable in general writing, avoid using it in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "somewhat protracted" or "slightly extended" for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little long" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing the length, duration, or extent of something. It indicates that something is slightly longer than desired or expected. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

16%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little long" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe something that is slightly longer than desired or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjectival modifier and is used in various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives when appropriate, especially in professional or academic settings. Remember that "a little long" is a more polite and less critical assessment than "too long".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly extended

Emphasizes the marginal increase in length or duration.

a touch lengthy

Uses "touch" to imply a mild degree of excess length.

a bit drawn out

Suggests that something has been stretched or extended unnecessarily.

a tad lengthy

Uses "tad" to indicate a small degree of excess length.

a shade prolonged

Uses "shade" to soften the assessment of excess duration.

somewhat prolonged

Highlights the continuation of something for a bit longer.

moderately extended

Indicates a moderate increase in length or duration.

slightly protracted

Highlights the elongated nature of something.

somewhat elongated

Focuses on the physical extension or lengthening of something.

marginally extensive

Implies a slight increase in scope or duration.

FAQs

How can I use "a little long" in a sentence?

You can use "a little long" to describe something that is longer than expected or desired, for instance, "The movie was "a little long", but still enjoyable".

What can I say instead of "a little long"?

Alternatives include "slightly extended", "somewhat prolonged", or "a tad lengthy" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a little long" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little long" might be considered too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives.

What's the difference between "a little long" and "too long"?

"A little long" implies a slight excess in length or duration, whereas "too long" suggests that the length is excessive and problematic. "A little long" indicates a minor issue, while too long indicates a significant one.