a long hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hearing, such as a legal proceeding or a public meeting, that lasts for an extended period of time. Example: "The committee held a long hearing to discuss the proposed legislation, allowing ample time for public input."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was a long hearing.

The Guardian

Mr. Adamov's verdict was read Tuesday at a long hearing that was continued until Wednesday, when sentencing is expected.

The New York Times

In another change, the contract allows the board to fire Mr. Levy without a long hearing process.

The New York Times

Last week I sat through a long hearing in the California legislature, all about bee declines.

Huffington Post

After a long hearing process, he received a letter stating that his application was denied because 10 years earlier, while in prison, he had smoked a joint.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

She's hard-working and energetic - yes, she sat through a long Armed Services Committee hearing before allowing herself to be rushed to the hospital to deliver her second child.

Huffington Post

Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold handed down the sentence to Thomas Joseph Snider during an hour-long hearing in a Torrance courtroom, according to a court officer. .

Los Angeles Times

The UK's most secretive court is beginning a week-long hearing – mostly in public – into complaints that GCHQ's mass surveillance of the internet violates human rights.

The Guardian

After a day-long hearing, Judge Carol Patricia Flores Blanco ruled on Thursday that there was sufficient evidence linking Ríos Montt to the massacre of 1,700 indigenous people during his 17-month rule in 1982 and 1983.

The Guardian

Consider these: *On Monday, the F.C.C. will conduct a day-long hearing that examines the public-interest obligations of broadcasters, but both sides have already staked out irreconcilable claims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long hearing", consider if specifying the approximate duration (e.g., "a day-long hearing", "an hour-long hearing") would provide more clarity for the reader.

Common error

While 'long' and 'lengthy' are similar, 'lengthy' might be preferred in formal contexts to emphasize the extensive duration. Using "a lengthy hearing" can sometimes sound more professional than "a long hearing".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a long hearing" is that of a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically describes an event, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig. This phrase serves to identify a specific kind of hearing characterized by its extended duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long hearing" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a legal or formal inquiry of considerable duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register making it suitable for various types of informative writing. While there are alternative phrasings like "an extended hearing" or "a lengthy hearing" that offer similar meanings, "a long hearing" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to convey the duration of such proceedings. When using this phrase, consider if specifying the approximate duration would provide enhanced clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended hearing

Focuses on the duration of the hearing, similar to the original phrase.

a lengthy hearing

Emphasizes the considerable length of the hearing.

a protracted hearing

Highlights the drawn-out nature of the hearing, suggesting it took longer than expected.

a drawn-out hearing

Similar to 'protracted', this emphasizes the hearing's extended duration and potential tedium.

a full-day hearing

Specifies the hearing lasted for an entire day.

a multi-day hearing

Indicates the hearing spanned several days.

an exhaustive hearing

Focuses on the thoroughness and depth of the hearing, implying it was comprehensive.

a thorough hearing

Similar to 'exhaustive', highlighting the completeness of the inquiry.

a week-long hearing

Specifies the duration of the hearing as an entire week.

an extensive inquiry

Shifts the focus from the 'hearing' itself to the broader 'inquiry', suggesting a wider scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long hearing" to describe legal proceedings or formal inquiries that take an extended amount of time. For instance, "The committee held "a long hearing" to discuss the proposed legislation".

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

You can use alternatives like "an extended hearing", "a lengthy hearing", or "a protracted hearing" to convey the same meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

Which is correct, "a long hearing" or "a lengthy hearing"?

Both "a long hearing" and "a lengthy hearing" are grammatically correct. However, "a lengthy hearing" might be perceived as slightly more formal, especially in professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a long hearing" and "an exhaustive hearing"?

"A long hearing" refers specifically to the duration of the hearing. "An exhaustive hearing", on the other hand, emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the inquiry, not necessarily just the time it took.