about that length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about that length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measurements or durations that are approximately equal to a specified length. Example: "The rope should be cut to about that length to ensure it fits properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What is it about that length — or brevity — that appeals to you?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But what about something that's maybe about half that length?

Huffington Post

At about half that length this might be an enjoyable, if forgettable, farce.

The New York Times

Vaguely bearlike in appearance and weighing up to 12 kg (26 pounds), it is 50 to 80 cm (20 to 31 inches) long and has a bushy tail about half that length.

Britannica

Described by Stukeley in 1723 as being 13 feet long, it is now about half that length, Grinsell suggesting that fragments have occasionally been broken off for mending the roads.

Wikipedia

Tarsiers are intermediate in form between lemurs and monkeys, measuring only about 9 16 cm (3.5 6 inches) long, excluding a tail of about twice that length.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(This means that both sets run about equal length and that there are two confetti-cannon moments).

The New York Times - Arts

They typically grow up to 15 feet, though a rare few have been known to reach about twice that length.

The New York Times

Repeat this process as many times as needed until you can make a firm decision about the length that makes your legs look best.

WikiHow

Cut the gardening thread/thick thread to about the length that you'd like the bag to flow down your back––measure how long you'd like it to hang when the strap is on your shoulder.

WikiHow

Get 2 pieces of cardboard that are about the length of a frame that you can fit your photo in.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about that length", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the length being discussed. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "about that length" without establishing what "that length" refers to. Always provide a clear antecedent to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about that length" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, adjective, or verb by providing information about the approximate dimension. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about that length" serves as a useful way to express an approximate measurement or duration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and generally used in contexts where exact precision is not necessary. It's important to ensure a clear reference point exists when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "approximately that long" or "around that length" can be used to vary your language while maintaining similar meaning. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately that long

This alternative uses "approximately" for a similar meaning, focusing on the dimension of length.

around that length

This alternative is a more casual way of expressing a similar approximation.

of roughly that length

This is a more formal way to indicate an approximate length.

nearly that length

This alternative emphasizes that it is close to the specified length but not exact.

almost that length

This alternative conveys a near approximation, suggesting it's just shy of the length.

comparable in length

This alternative highlights the similarity in length without specifying approximation.

in that general vicinity of length

This alternative uses 'vicinity' making it an indirect reference to the length.

in the neighborhood of that length

Using 'neighborhood' adds a conversational tone and an indirect reference to the length.

on par with that length

This alternative means that a thing is equal or similar to something else.

in that ballpark range of length

This alternative utilizes 'ballpark' to indicate an estimation.

FAQs

How can I use "about that length" in a sentence?

You can use "about that length" to indicate an approximate measurement, as in "The rope should be cut to about that length to fit the space properly."

What's a more formal way to say "about that length"?

A more formal alternative is "approximately that long", which conveys a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Which is correct, "about that length" or "of that length"?

"About that length" implies an approximation, while "of that length" refers to a specific measurement. The correct choice depends on whether you are estimating or specifying a precise length.

What can I say instead of "about that length" to sound more casual?

You could use "around that length" for a more casual tone, suggesting an approximate measurement in everyday conversation.