been a lengthy wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been a lengthy wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a significant amount of time has passed while waiting for something or someone. Example: "After what has felt like an eternity, it has finally been a lengthy wait for the results of the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Record executive Simon Cowell later publically give his support for Glassheart, saying to Lewis that, although there had been a lengthy wait of two years for new music, the album was "sensational", and that Lewis had "never sounded better".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If Cures stalls in the Senate, where critics have argued it gives too much leeway to the drug industry, backers fear it could be a lengthy wait for another chance to lock in NIH funding and tweak FDA rules.

Science Magazine

Second was a lengthy wait pre-admission for those patients who were placed on waiting list.

BMC Psychiatry

Mr. Fox said that all of the one- and two-bedroom apartments in the project's first two buildings had already been rented at prices ranging from $900 to $1,300 a month, and that there was a lengthy waiting list.

The New York Times

Aware that there was a lengthy waiting list of enthusiastic buyers for One Thirty West 12, where Cookfox Architects designed the light-catching interiors and Jed Johnson Associates designed the lobby and model apartments, some lucky owners are already thinking of instant resales at heady profits.

The New York Times

The expedition first camped at IxPimienta; in May they moved to Sakalum, southwest of Bacalar, where there was a lengthy delay while they waited for reinforcements.

Wikipedia

In May the expedition advanced to Sakalum, southwest of Bacalar, where there was a lengthy delay while they waited for reinforcements.

Wikipedia

For American fans of "Downton Abbey," who are facing a lengthy wait until the start of Season 3, there are other channels on the TV remote that offer programs infused with British accents, attitude, humor and story-telling.

The New York Times

Your backyard is perfect, but remember that observing planets can be a slow and engrossing business, so be sure to wrap up warm and be prepared for a lengthy wait.

WikiHow

Those who pass the practice test will get the next available seat in the G.E.D. exam, bypassing what is often a lengthy waiting list.

The New York Times

In fact, the sheer power of fashion rumor has propelled so many style insiders to buy the belt in advance, sight unseen, that there is now a lengthy waiting list.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been a lengthy wait", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "been a lengthy wait" when the waiting period is not significant or relevant to the overall message. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a lengthy wait" functions as a descriptive expression indicating that a significant amount of time has passed while waiting for something. Ludwig confirms this usage in its analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been a lengthy wait" is a common phrase used to describe a prolonged period of waiting. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, scientific research, and general communication. While it can be used in professional settings, more formal alternatives like "been a prolonged wait" or "been a considerable delay" might be preferred. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for and avoid overusing it to maintain its impact. The phrase is versatile and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing the duration of a waiting period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been a prolonged wait

Replaces "lengthy" with "prolonged", emphasizing the extended duration of the wait.

been a long delay

Substitutes "wait" with "delay", highlighting the postponement aspect and "lengthy" with "long" for simplicity.

been a considerable wait

Uses "considerable" instead of "lengthy", suggesting a significant amount of waiting time.

been an extensive wait

Replaces "lengthy" with "extensive", indicating a comprehensive or far-reaching wait.

been a protracted wait

Employs "protracted" instead of "lengthy", stressing the drawn-out nature of the waiting period.

been a substantial delay

Similar to "been a long delay" but uses "substantial" to highlight the important amount of waiting time.

been quite a wait

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of a notable waiting time.

been a drawn-out wait

Uses "drawn-out" to emphasize the extended and possibly tedious nature of the wait.

been a tedious wait

Replaces "lengthy" with "tedious", focusing on the boring and tiresome aspect of the wait.

been an extended period of waiting

More verbose alternative, emphasizing the prolonged duration of the waiting period.

FAQs

How can I use "been a lengthy wait" in a sentence?

You can use "been a lengthy wait" to describe a situation where someone has waited a significant amount of time for something, as in "It's "been a lengthy wait" for the doctor's appointment".

What is a more formal alternative to "been a lengthy wait"?

A more formal alternative would be "been a prolonged wait" or "been a considerable delay", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "been a lengthy waiting"?

While understandable, "been a lengthy waiting" is less common and grammatically awkward. It's better to use ""been a lengthy wait"".

What's the difference between "been a lengthy wait" and "been a long wait"?

""been a lengthy wait"" and "been a long wait" are very similar. "Lengthy" emphasizes the duration more strongly than "long", but they are often interchangeable.