considerable length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerable length" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is relatively long or extensive. For example, "The book is of considerable length, so it will take time to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I should like to read this despite its considerable length.

Yale University

The reader then proceeded to do so, at considerable length.

The New York Times - Books

Otherwise, words tumbled from him at giddying speed and considerable length, mostly on predictable Tory lines.

The Guardian

Claude Lanzmann interviewed a Treblinka Sonderkommando, Abraham Bomba, at considerable length in his epic documentary Shoah.

The Guardian - Film

The Ussuri, one of the Amur's tributaries, forms another considerable length of the border.

Britannica

Some boulder piles, however, do have explorable interconnected "passages" of considerable length.

Britannica

All were cross-examined, two of the experts at considerable length.

Cornell University

Ivan Karamazov goes on at considerable length about the Grand Inquisitor, after all, and few people object.

The New Yorker

And he explains, at considerable length, the role that tailors and, especially, cobblers have played in insuring his success.

The New Yorker

In "Summer" (1986), Marie Rivière's desperately lonely Delphine speaks at considerable length about her inability to talk.

The New Yorker

Being and Time is a work of considerable length (437 pages in the German original) and legendary difficulty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considerable length" to emphasize the magnitude of something, whether it's time, distance, or a piece of writing. This phrase adds a formal and sophisticated tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable length" when a simpler term like 'long' or 'lengthy' would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for situations where you want to underscore the significance or impressiveness of the length.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable length" functions as a descriptive phrase, where 'considerable' modifies 'length'. It describes a noun (abstract or concrete) as having an extent that is noteworthy or significant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considerable length" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize that something is notably long or extensive. Ludwig AI and its examples highlight its use in describing various aspects, from time and distance to documents and narratives. It maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse contexts like news reporting, academic papers, and general professional communication. When a simpler description suffices, consider more direct alternatives such as "long" or "lengthy", reserving "considerable length" for when you need to emphasize the significance of the length itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant duration

Emphasizes the time aspect of something being long.

substantial extent

Focuses on the amount or degree to which something is long or covers a large area.

notable duration

Highlights that the length is worthy of attention or is remarkable.

extensive duration

Stresses the comprehensiveness and broad reach of the length.

appreciable length

Suggests the length is easily perceived or can be readily measured.

extended period

Focuses on time and indicates a relatively long duration.

prolonged span

Highlights the continuity and duration of something.

sizeable distance

Implies a large physical measurement.

remarkable distance

Underlines how the distance is impressive and significant.

vast extent

Indicates an immense and broad coverage or duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "considerable length" to describe something that is notably long, such as "The report was of a "considerable length", requiring several hours to read".

What are some alternatives to "considerable length"?

Alternatives include "significant duration", "substantial extent", or "extensive duration", depending on the specific context.

Is "considerable length" formal or informal?

"Considerable length" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, you might prefer simpler terms such as "long" or "lengthy".

When is it appropriate to use "considerable length" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "considerable length" when you want to emphasize the noteworthiness or impressiveness of something's length, particularly in formal or academic writing.