a long passageway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long passageway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lengthy corridor or tunnel, often in architectural or descriptive contexts. Example: "As we walked through the museum, we found ourselves in a long passageway that led to the main exhibition hall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The glitch occurred when the man ran through a long passageway, which apparently created a wind tunnel, extinguishing the flame.

The Guardian - Sport

A half-block east on Holborn and down a long passageway is Barnard's Inn, the first London home of Pip in Dickens's "Great Expectations".

The New York Times - Travel

We ride the broom closet down to the basement and are led down a long passageway to a big lecture hall.

The New York Times - Magazine

We walked down a hill and into a long passageway lined with doorways with names carved above them, like a hotel for the dead: Hermann, Schlesinger, McAllister, Van Rensselaer, Croesbeck, Ferguson.

The New Yorker

THE entrance stands in the middle of the Place Denfert-Rochereau, with a circular staircase leading to a long passageway that stretches some 300 yards to the catacombs themselves.

The New York Times - Travel

Only at one closing, a block away, could I not see the dismantling of the scenery; the stage door of "Jennie" wasn't visible, seemingly hidden by a long passageway that led to the sidewalk.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Actually, to get to Mr. Adrover's apartment, one must go down a long grimy passageway that reeks of every imaginable New York smell.

The New York Times - Style

In one room -- a hovel, really -- down a long, stone passageway off a narrow, dark street lives an old and infirm man.

The New York Times - Magazine

Handmade Treats The village of Castellina in Chianti is a lovely hilltop maze of terra-cotta and stone, complete with a long vaulted passageway that tunnels through the medieval town walls.

The New York Times - Travel

Grimly and wordlessly this second sentry admitted us to the elevator and escorted us to the top floor, where we were handed off to a hostess, who looked us up and down before permitting us past her station, through a long, dark passageway and onto the roof.

The New York Times - Food

A long straight passageway called the Nethererowe or Nether Row (later renamed Gentleman's Walk) marked the eastern boundary.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing architectural spaces, use "a long passageway" to create a sense of depth and mystery, especially when the destination is not immediately visible.

Common error

Avoid using "a long passageway" for short or commonplace corridors. It's best reserved for spaces where length is a notable feature, not just a standard attribute.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a long passageway" is as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically functions as a descriptive element, modifying or providing information about a noun. Ludwig's examples show it describing architectural features or routes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long passageway" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to depict extended corridors or tunnels, creating a sense of depth and distance. While relatively uncommon, it is widely understood and suitable for various contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news articles, encyclopedic entries and scientific papers. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When employing this phrase, consider the length of the passageway and its significance to the overall description. Alternatives such as "an extended corridor" or "a lengthy hallway" may offer similar descriptive power, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended corridor

Focuses on the corridor aspect while emphasizing length.

a lengthy hallway

Replaces 'passageway' with 'hallway', maintaining the sense of length.

a protracted tunnel

Highlights the tunnel aspect with emphasis on its extended nature.

an elongated passage

Uses a more formal tone emphasizing the stretched-out aspect of the passage.

a stretched-out corridor

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the corridor appearing lengthened.

a considerable route

Shifts focus to the route aspect and emphasizes its significant length.

a winding path

Emphasizes the curvature and length of the path.

a drawn-out passage

Implies the passage is not only long but perhaps tedious.

a remote path

Highlights the distance and isolation of the path.

a distant corridor

Emphasizes the separation and length of the corridor.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long passageway" to describe physical spaces, such as "The museum had "a long passageway" connecting the ancient and modern art wings."

What are some alternatives to "a long passageway"?

Some alternatives include "an extended corridor", "a lengthy hallway", or "a protracted tunnel" depending on the specific type of space you are describing.

Is it correct to use "a long passageway" to describe a short hallway?

While grammatically correct, using "a long passageway" to describe a short hallway may be misleading. It's best to reserve this phrase for areas where the length is a notable characteristic.

What's the difference between "a long passageway" and "a corridor"?

A "corridor" is a general term for a passage connecting different parts of a building. "A long passageway" specifies that the passage is of considerable length, emphasizing its extended nature.