at length

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "at length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a prolonged period of time or the extended amount of detail in which something is discussed. For example: "We discussed the issue at length and eventually reached an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At length.

The New Yorker

Enjoy — at length.

The New Yorker

He spoke at length.

The New Yorker

At length, he stopped.

The New Yorker

Sensitively and at length.

The Economist

The woman spoke at length.

The New Yorker

If you at length remain.

The New Yorker

Discusses the case at length.

The New Yorker

At length, he uttered them.

The New Yorker

Each is examined at length.

The New Yorker

It's worth quoting at length.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at length" to indicate a discussion or explanation that is detailed and comprehensive. For example, "The committee discussed the proposal "at length" before reaching a decision."

Common error

Avoid using "at length" solely to indicate a long duration without the implication of detail or thoroughness. Instead of saying "He waited "at length"", consider "He waited for a long time" if the detail of the waiting is not relevant.

How to use

Learn how to use "at length" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

"At length" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed or the state of something. It specifies that something is done or discussed in a detailed and prolonged way. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in this context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.3%

Wiki

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at length" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a detailed and prolonged discussion or explanation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media sources. While alternatives like "in detail" or "for a long time" exist, "at length" uniquely combines the elements of thoroughness and duration. For effective writing, use "at length" to signal a comprehensive treatment of a subject, but avoid using it solely to indicate duration without the implication of detail. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently incorporate "at length" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at great length

An intensifier, emphasizing the duration or detail more strongly.

in detail

Focuses on the thoroughness of the explanation or discussion, rather than the duration.

in depth

Similar to 'in detail', focusing on the depth of analysis.

extensively

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the discussion or coverage.

for a long time

Emphasizes the duration of an activity or situation.

thoroughly

Stresses the completeness and carefulness of an action or explanation.

after a while

Indicates a duration of time before something happens.

eventually

Highlights the final outcome after a period of time or a series of events.

in due course

Suggests something will happen at the appropriate time.

at last

Indicates something happening after considerable delay or effort.

FAQs

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

Use "at length" to describe a discussion or explanation that is detailed and comprehensive. For example, "The author described the historical context "at length" in the introduction."

What are some alternatives to "at length"?

Alternatives to "at length" include "in detail", "extensively", or "for a long time", depending on whether you want to emphasize detail or duration.

Is it better to say "at length" or "in detail"?

Both "at length" and "in detail" are correct, but "at length" often implies a combination of duration and thoroughness, while "in detail" focuses more on the level of detail covered.

When is it appropriate to use "at length"?

Use "at length" when you want to convey that something was discussed or explained thoroughly and perhaps over a considerable period. It's suitable when both the detail and the duration are relevant to the context.