at greater length

USAGE SUMMARY

"at greater length" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of something or expound upon a topic or idea. For example, "I could explain my thoughts at greater length, but I fear this is not the forum for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surprised, she spoke at greater length.

The New Yorker

At greater length, they can prove tiring.

The Guardian - Books

(He then talked at greater length about "brain stems").

The New Yorker

It would have worked better at greater length.

The Guardian - Books

I'll probably be writing more about this at greater length.

The New Yorker

I will write again at greater length on these issues.

Columbia University

Maybe Chris addresses this at greater length there.

The Economist

Emily Bell, of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, has discussed this at greater length here.

The Guardian

"Projected" had a certain slickness that may undermine it at greater length.

The New York Times - Arts

Here Toobin discusses Lieberman and the 2004 election at greater length.

The New Yorker

Specter wrote about the 2003 outbreak at greater length in a 2005, piece called "Nature's Bioterrorist".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at greater length" to signal to your reader that you will be providing a more detailed explanation of a topic previously introduced. This helps manage expectations and maintain clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "at greater length" can sound overly formal in casual conversations or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "in more detail" or "more fully" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at greater length" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, indicating the manner in which an action (typically speaking, writing, or explaining) is performed. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples provided by Ludwig show it modifies verbs like 'talked', 'discussed', 'writing'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

21%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at greater length" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that signals a more detailed explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively indicates an intention to elaborate on a topic. While versatile, its formality level leans toward neutral to formal, making it particularly suitable for news, academic, and professional contexts. Remember to consider your audience and choose simpler alternatives like "in more detail" for informal settings. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian, mastering "at greater length" enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in more detail

Focuses on the level of detail provided.

more extensively

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the explanation.

at greater detail

Focuses on the level of detail provided.

more thoroughly

Highlights the completeness and comprehensiveness of the explanation.

in greater depth

Suggests a deeper level of analysis and exploration.

at length

A more concise and slightly more formal alternative.

more fully

Highlights that all aspects are covered.

in detail

Focuses on the level of detail provided.

elaborately

Suggests a more ornate or complex explanation.

extensively

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "at greater length" in a sentence?

You can use "at greater length" to indicate that you will provide a more detailed explanation. For example, "I will discuss the implications of the study "at greater length" in the next chapter".

What are some alternatives to saying "at greater length"?

You can use alternatives such as "in more detail", "more extensively", or "in greater depth" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "at greater length" or "in greater length"?

"At greater length" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "In greater length" is not commonly used and would sound unnatural.

When is it best to use "at greater length" instead of "at length"?

While both are correct, "at greater length" emphasizes a more significant level of detail compared to the simpler phrase "at length". Choose "at greater length" when you want to highlight the extensive nature of your explanation.