a very long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the length of an object, duration, or distance in a more emphatic way. Example: "The meeting turned out to be a very long discussion about the new policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A very long time.

The New York Times

A very long nose.

Independent

That's a very long chain.

The New York Times - Arts

"A very long two hours.

The New York Times - Sports

A very long way, indeed.

The Economist

And a very long cord.

The New York Times

That's a very long time".

The New York Times

It's a very long list.

The New York Times

A very long time indeed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"That's a very long-term goal".

Science Magazine

"It's a very long-term game.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very long" to emphasize the duration, length, or extent of something. It is effective when you want to highlight that something is notably longer than average.

Common error

Avoid using "a very long" simply as a filler phrase. Ensure it adds meaningful emphasis to your description, rather than being a redundant addition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very long" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun. It serves to emphasize the extent or duration of the noun it modifies. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very long" functions as a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to emphasize the length or duration of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, be mindful of overuse, and use it to add meaningful emphasis rather than redundancy. Consider semantically similar phrases like "an exceptionally long" or "a considerably long" to add variety to your writing. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "a very long" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptionally long

Emphasizes the length to an even greater extent.

a considerably long

Highlights that the length is noteworthy and substantial.

an unusually long

Suggests the length is atypical or beyond the norm.

a remarkably long

Indicates the length is impressive or surprising.

an extensively long

Focuses on the comprehensive or detailed nature of the length.

a prolifically long

Implies abundant or fruitful length.

a particularly long

Highlights the specific or distinct nature of the length.

a significantly long

Focuses on the importance or consequence of the length.

an appreciably long

Emphasizes that the length is noticeable or measurable.

an unduly long

Suggests that the length is excessive or unwarranted.

FAQs

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

You can use "a very long" to describe duration, distance, or physical length. For example: "It's been "a very long time" since we last met."

What are some alternatives to "a very long"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an exceptionally long", "a considerably long", or "an unusually long".

When is it appropriate to use "a very long"?

It is appropriate to use "a very long" when you want to emphasize that something is noticeably longer than usual or expected. For instance, "That was "a very long meeting"" implies the meeting's duration was remarkable.

Is there a difference between "a long" and "a very long"?

"A long" indicates something has considerable length or duration. "A very long" amplifies this, stressing the significant or excessive nature of that length or duration.