a substantial length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable amount of distance or duration in various contexts. Example: "The project took a substantial length of time to complete, far exceeding our initial estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

While the available studies have flaws, they do suggest that ED invasive lines are a source of infection, remain in place for a substantial length of time, and that adherence to maximum barrier precautions is poor.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

But, unless the pipe legs can be guaranteed to be separated and not twisted and contacting over a substantial length of the bore, this 30%% benefit may never be realized in practice.

Geothermal Energy

The problem with Chile's style is the difficulty maintaining it for a substantial length of time, particularly with temperatures in the high 20s and the possibility of extra time and penalties.

BBC

I guess the most important thing is that somewhere in the world there is a substantial length of film of me, surrounded by over-zealous African women with impeccable hair attempting to purge the devil from my soul by waving their arms and singing about God being "awesome".

Vice

This hypothesis may also, to a large extent, explain the occurrence of a substantial length effect in pseudoword reading [4].

Plosone

Considering that we have treated a substantial length of a rat sciatic nerve with direct, high electrical field IRE pulses, and the nerve was able to demonstrate a full functional recovery, this finding is indicative of the preserving of nerve involving malignant tumors with respect to the application of IRE pulses to ablation tumors completely.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

On Sunday, interviews with the police and with Mr. Tarloff's family and neighbors, offered a portrait of an increasingly troubled and depressed man whose actions were deemed serious enough to draw the attention of the authorities, but not grave enough to merit committing him to a psychiatric hospital for any substantial length of time.

The New York Times

A limitation with these theories is that CM is not stable for any substantial length of time in liquid.

Amino Acids

If Mr. Obuchi is incapacitated for any substantial length of time, pressures will rise within his Liberal Democratic Party to chose a new standard bearer before the October elections.

The New York Times

Mr. Ozawa says he cannot walk for more than five minutes without having to sit down, and he cannot conduct standing for any substantial length of time.

The New York Times - Arts

As explained above, a signal of substantial length (say, more than a few hundred milliseconds) is frequently sliced into frames rather than being treated as a single time series.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial length", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a physical distance, a duration of time, or an abstract measure. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial length" in overly casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "a long time" or "a large distance" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial length" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent or duration of something, indicating that it is significant or considerable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial length" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something significant in distance, duration, or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across different contexts. Primarily found in scientific and news-related articles, it maintains a generally neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "a considerable length" or "a significant distance" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of overusing it in overly casual settings. Therefore, using "a substantial length" in your writing can effectively communicate the idea of significance, provided you tailor it to the appropriate register and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable duration

Emphasizes the temporal aspect rather than spatial, implying a noteworthy amount of time.

a significant distance

Focuses on physical extent or separation, suggesting an important spatial measure.

an appreciable period

Highlights the length of time, implying a noticeable or measurable duration.

a noteworthy extent

Indicates the degree or scope to which something reaches, implying importance.

a marked degree

Suggests a noticeable level or intensity, often related to abstract qualities.

a sizable portion

Refers to a large part or amount, emphasizing quantity or proportion.

a lengthy interval

Specifies a time gap that is quite long, focusing on the intervening time.

a prolonged duration

Underscores the extended nature of time, indicating something lasting for a long time.

a good stretch

Implies a continuous portion or distance that is considerable or significant, more informal.

an extended measure

Focuses on the measurement aspect, suggesting that something has a significant dimension.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial length" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial length" to describe a considerable distance, duration, or size. For instance: "The bridge spans "a substantial length" of the river" or "The project required "a substantial length" of time to complete".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial length"?

Alternatives include "a considerable length", "a significant distance", or "a prolonged period", depending on the context. The best choice will depend on whether you're referring to space, time, or some other measurable quantity.

Is it better to use "a considerable length" or "a substantial length"?

"A considerable length" and "a substantial length" are often interchangeable, but "substantial" implies something of notable size or duration, whereas "considerable" simply means worthy of consideration. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can I use "a substantial length" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, while often used for physical distances or time, "a substantial length" can also describe abstract concepts where 'length' represents a degree or extent. For example: "The argument involved "a substantial length" of complex reasoning".