described at length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "described at length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been explained or detailed thoroughly. Example: "The process of photosynthesis is described at length in the textbook, providing a comprehensive understanding of how plants convert sunlight into energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We intercepted a young guy with his fishing rod heading to the Clyde, who described at length all the fish species that he caught and ate.

The Guardian

3km to Jenkin Road/Hill, which is being described at length in the commentary.

The Guardian - Sport

Clinton described at length a lunch he had with the Russian president Boris Yeltsin.

The Guardian

A procedure for developing knowledge base system modules is described at length.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

The latter experiment, done by Prof. R. Allen & Beatrice T. Gardner was shown on film & described at length.

The New Yorker

The Johnson administration's decision-making process has been described at length in earlier accounts of the war by Stanley Karnow, Chester L. Cooper and others.

The Washington Post

He described at length his handling of evidence at the scene of the shooting, on Liverpool Street, around the corner from the Club Kalua.

The New York Times

Better, a table exhibited with a selection of his furniture in the shop of a well-established dealer, Brébant, was described at length in the paper.

The New York Times - Arts

All others are termed plastics or resins; the properties and applications of these materials are described at length separately in the article plastic (thermoplastic and thermosetting resins).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Representative Peter T. King, Republican of New York, convened a hearing in 2004 where Treasury officials described at length their efforts, assisted by financial institutions, to trace terrorists' money.

The New York Times

She described at length how triathlete Alistair Brownlee gave up his chance to win the final race in the world series in Mexico to help his heat-dazed brother, Jonny, over the line.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "described at length" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and detail of an explanation or account. It's suitable for formal writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "described at length" in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "explained in detail" or "talked about a lot" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "described at length" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner or extent of the description. It emphasizes the thoroughness and detail involved, as supported by Ludwig examples showing its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "described at length" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a thorough and detailed explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it is best suited for formal and neutral registers, emphasizing precision and comprehensiveness. Alternatives like "explained in detail" or "elaborated extensively" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Avoid overusing it in casual contexts where simpler language is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explained in detail

Replaces "described" with "explained" and "at length" with "in detail", focusing on the clarity of the explanation.

elaborated extensively

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the explanation through the use of "elaborated" and "extensively".

detailed comprehensively

Highlights the completeness of the description by using "detailed" and "comprehensively".

presented exhaustively

Focuses on the thoroughness of the presentation, suggesting every aspect was covered.

discussed thoroughly

Replaces "described" with "discussed", indicating a more interactive or conversational approach to the explanation.

covered extensively

Emphasizes the breadth of the description, indicating that all relevant points were addressed.

analyzed in depth

Indicates a deep examination and evaluation of the topic, rather than a simple description.

treated at great length

Uses "treated" instead of "described", suggesting a formal or academic approach to the explanation.

presented in full detail

Highlights the level of detail provided in the presentation.

spoken about at length

Focuses on the verbal aspect of the description, emphasizing the extensive discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "described at length" to indicate that something has been explained or detailed thoroughly, such as, "The process was "described at length" in the report."

What are some alternatives to "described at length"?

Alternatives include "explained in detail", "elaborated extensively", or "detailed comprehensively", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "described in detail" or "described at length"?

Both phrases are correct, but "described at length" emphasizes the extensive nature of the description, while "described in detail" highlights the level of specificity. The best choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "described at length" and "outlined at length"?

"Described at length" suggests a comprehensive explanation with many details, while "outlined at length" implies a more structured and organized summary or overview.