a long read

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long read" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a piece of writing, such as an article or essay, that is lengthy and may require a significant amount of time to read. Example: "I found an interesting article online, but be prepared; it's a long read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Walden's memoir is, at 396 pages, quite a long read.

The Guardian - Books

It is a long read but a rewarding one.

The Guardian - Books

To The Wedding is a short book but a long read.

The Guardian - Books

(Here is one rather egregious example, it is a long read, but quite appropriate).

The Guardian

At 1,383 pages, it's a long read but what's the rush?

The New York Times

A graduate school survival guide: ''So long, and thanks for the Ph.D!" - It's a long read, but worth it.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

So, if you want to know more about the so-called "bridge of desperation", here's a long-read by the BBC's Katy Watson.

BBC

On Tuesday, VICE will publish a long-read looking at how the criminal justice system is failing offenders with mental health problems. .

Vice

DO YOU WANT A CUP OF TEA?" Illustrative photo from a long-read about what happened to all the Fonzy impersonators who made money in the 80s.

Vice

The positive clone obtained from the library screening was sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method using the Dual CyDye Terminator sequence kit (Amersham Biosciences) and a Long-Read Tower DNA sequencer (Amersham Biosciences).

Plosone

We were able to cover up to 98% of the targeted bases at a long-read sequence read depth of ≥3, 86% at a read depth of ≥10, and over 50% of all targets were covered with ≥20 reads.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to articles or documents, use "a long read" to manage reader expectations about the time commitment involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a long read" to imply that the content is inherently difficult to understand; length doesn't always equate to complexity. Use it simply to indicate the time investment required to complete the reading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long read" functions as a noun phrase that describes a piece of content, such as an article or a book, requiring a significant time investment to read. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a long read" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe content that requires a significant time investment. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and academic institutions. Its primary function is to inform the audience about the expected time commitment. While frequently found in News & Media and scientific contexts, the term maintains a neutral register. Alternatives include "lengthy article" or "extensive reading". When employing "a long read", remember its purpose is to manage reader expectations without implying difficulty; length does not necessarily equate to complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy article

Emphasizes the physical or digital length of the article.

extensive reading

Highlights the depth and breadth of the material to be read.

substantial piece of writing

Focuses on the significance and volume of the written work.

time-consuming article

Directly points out the time commitment required to read the piece.

in-depth analysis

Suggests a thorough and detailed exploration of a topic, implying a longer read.

comprehensive report

Implies a detailed and thorough examination, often resulting in a longer document.

detailed account

Highlights the level of detail, often leading to a longer narrative.

exhaustive study

Emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of the investigation, suggesting an extensive document.

sizeable manuscript

Refers to the physical or digital size of the manuscript.

prolonged study

Highlights the duration of the study, implying a lengthy reading experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long read" to describe an article, book, or document that requires a significant time investment to read. For example, "This article is "a long read", so set aside some time."

What's the difference between "a long read" and "lengthy article"?

While both phrases describe something that takes time to read, "a long read" is a more general term that can apply to various forms of content, while "lengthy article" specifically refers to an article of considerable length.

What are some alternatives to "a long read"?

You can use alternatives like "extensive reading", "substantial piece of writing", or "time-consuming article" depending on the context and the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "a long read" in professional writing?

Yes, "a long read" is acceptable in professional writing, especially when you want to inform the reader about the time commitment involved in reading the material. However, ensure the context is appropriate and the tone remains professional.