at their length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something being discussed or described in detail or at full extent. Example: "The report covers the issues at their length, providing a comprehensive analysis of each point."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Looking at their length profiles, we found the mean read length to be slightly different between the two libraries, 38 nt for L. donovani and 46 nt for L. braziliensis, however, the median read length was similar (33 nt and 34 nt, respectively).

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus, differences we might find between locomotor and RLM muscle patterns could be attributable to constraints that include placement of flexor muscles at their shortest length and extensors at their greatest length.

Plosone

Amazon calls them "compelling ideas expressed at their natural length".

The New York Times - Books

However, as recently as September the boss of the Lions, John Feehan, said tours must stay at their current length in 2021 and beyond.

BBC

Strips were electrically stimulated (60 Hz, 18 V) at their optimal length (l(o)) to obtain maximum active stress (P o)) and rate of stress generation.

Duke University

Strips were stimulated (60 Hz, 18 V) at their optimal length for 15, 20, and 25 s, with and without the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin.

Duke University

At home, recovered, Alcott elaborated and expanded on the letters, which, at their new length, appeared serially in an anti-slavery journal published in Boston.

Huffington Post

Tumors were measured twice weekly at their greatest length and width for approximately 6 weeks.

BMC Cancer

In this way, tags that have adaptor sequence, or poor quality ends are recovered at their longest length.

Bioinformatics

Leave the other two pipe cleaners at their full length.

WikiHow

The container should be at least 12 inches (30.48 cm) deep to contain the carrots at their full length.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at their length", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being fully explored or extended. This phrase works best when referring to discussions, analyses, or physical dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "at their length" when referring to abstract qualities or emotions. It's more suitable for tangible or quantifiable attributes like discussion duration or physical dimensions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their length" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner or extent to which an action is performed or a subject is described. Ludwig confirms its function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

25%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their length" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating thoroughness or extent. Ludwig AI deems it grammatically correct, though examples are rare. It fits in neutral registers. While versatile, it's more suited for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts, emphasizing detail or duration. Alternatives such as "in detail" or "at full length" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Ensure the context warrants this level of detail to avoid sounding overly formal or stilted. It's usage should be considered carefully because there are other forms to convey the same meaning in different contexts and registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at full length

Emphasizes the complete or extended version, implying no abbreviation or omission.

at great length

Focuses on the duration or the amount of time spent on something.

in full

Indicates that something is presented without any cuts or abbreviations.

in detail

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

in depth

Stresses the deepness and intensity of the analysis or coverage.

thoroughly

Similar to "in detail", stressing the completeness of the examination or explanation.

comprehensively

Indicates an all-encompassing approach, leaving no aspect untouched.

extensively

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the action or description.

elaborately

Emphasizes the richness and complexity of the explanation or design.

at its maximum extent

Highlights the greatest possible range or degree of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "at their length" to indicate that something is being discussed or described in detail or at its full extent. For example: "The report covers the issues "at their length", providing a comprehensive analysis of each point."

What's a good substitute for "at their length"?

Alternatives include "in detail", "at full length", or "extensively", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "at their length" formal or informal?

"At their length" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts, as suggested by the sources provided by Ludwig. You should be mindful of what is the best choice depending on the topic and the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "at their length"?

It is best to avoid using "at their length" in informal or conversational settings where simpler phrases like "in detail" or "thoroughly" might be more appropriate.