a long letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long letter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a letter that has a considerable length or amount of content. Example: "After reading a long letter from my friend, I felt a mix of emotions and nostalgia."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She promised to write a long letter.

The New Yorker

Three days later, she sent them a long letter.

The New Yorker

"I will write David a long letter," he said.

The New Yorker

The other was a long letter to Lola.

The New Yorker

"He wrote me a long letter about it," Brooks said.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1996, he wrote Hamilton a long letter outlining his notion, in the hope of collaborating.

The New Yorker

In 2009, he detailed his complaints in a long letter to Internal Affairs.

The New York Times

He sent the Vatican a long letter saying that he was only following his conscience.

The New York Times

Believing himself about to die, he wrote a long letter of apology to Washington.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A physicist we know sent us a long letter about Dirac.

The New Yorker

And I just read a long letter from my grandfather Lowell.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when deciding to write "a long letter". In professional contexts, prioritize clarity and conciseness, and make sure that the length justifies the content.

Common error

While "a long letter" is grammatically correct, using it too frequently in casual conversations can sound unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a detailed note" or "a lengthy email" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long letter" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "long" modifies the noun "letter". It specifies the characteristic of the letter, denoting its extended length or substantial content. The phrase is commonly used to describe physical or digital correspondence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long letter" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a letter of considerable length. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news articles to personal correspondence. When using "a long letter", it is useful to consider alternatives such as "an extensive letter" or "a detailed letter" to better convey the specific nuances of the letter's content or character. Avoiding overuse in informal contexts and tailoring the length to the audience are key considerations for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extensive letter

Replaces "long" with "extensive", emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the letter.

a lengthy letter

Substitutes "long" with "lengthy", which is a more formal synonym.

a detailed letter

Focuses on the level of detail within the letter, rather than just its length.

a substantial letter

Highlights the significant content or importance of the letter.

a voluminous letter

Emphasizes the large amount of text or content in the letter.

a protracted letter

Indicates that the letter is drawn out or extended in its writing.

an expansive letter

Suggests that the letter covers a wide range of topics or ideas.

a comprehensive letter

Highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the letter's content.

a prolonged letter

Similar to 'protracted', this emphasizes the extended length or duration implied in the letter.

a wordy letter

While similar, this term might carry a slightly negative connotation, implying unnecessary detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long letter" to describe a letter with considerable length. For example, "She sent me "a long letter" detailing her travels abroad".

What are some alternatives to "a long letter"?

Alternatives include "an extensive letter", "a lengthy letter", or "a detailed letter", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "a long letter" or "a lengthy letter"?

Both "a long letter" and "a lengthy letter" are correct. "Lengthy" is often perceived as more formal than "long".

When is it appropriate to write "a long letter" instead of an email?

Writing "a long letter" may be more appropriate than sending an email when the content is highly personal, requires a formal tone, or when you want to create a tangible, lasting impression.