excessive length

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive length" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is excessively long. For example, "The excessive length of his speech made the audience restless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

An excessive length of stay is defined as an excess length of stay >75th centile of all diabetic admissions.

Diabetes Care

Does it warrant its excessive length?

The New York Times

The excessive length of the poorly edited "Divine Days" is not a problem here.

The New York Times - Books

Presumably lacking her permission to quote them, he paraphrases them snidely at excessive length.

The Guardian - Books

To avoid excessive length, the cargo beds are shorter than a standard pickup's.

The New York Times

Mr. Woodward recounts the English fad for ruins in diverting detail though sometimes excessive length.

The New York Times - Books

They can easily handle, at no extra cost, ballots of excessive length, which are common in California.

The New York Times

Other legal experts expressed concern about holding prisoners for an excessive length of time without charging them with a crime.

The New York Times

A look at how the framers acted should calm today's grumbling about the 2008 campaign's excessive length and bruising partisanship.

The New York Times - Books

Social media analysis has shown that excessive length can stall a film's word-of-mouth momentum, particularly among the young.

The Guardian - Film

The theater chat rooms were dense with complaints about the production's excessive length, sloppy acting and fuzzy focus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing writing or films, use "excessive length" to critique pacing and audience engagement. For example, "The movie suffered from its "excessive length", causing viewers to lose interest."

Common error

Avoid using "excessive length" when "adequate length" is meant. "Excessive" implies a negative judgment; if the length is appropriate, use a more neutral term like "considerable length".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive length" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "excessive" modifies the noun "length". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase describes something that extends beyond what is necessary or desirable. Examples show its use in critiquing films, speeches, and documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive length" is a common phrase used to negatively describe something that is too long, whether in terms of duration or spatial extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and suggests it is employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and media. When using this phrase, be mindful of its critical connotation and consider alternatives like "undue duration" or "inordinate extent" if a more neutral tone is desired. Understanding the phrase's implications and usage patterns can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue duration

Replaces "length" with "duration", emphasizing time rather than spatial extent.

inordinate extent

Substitutes "excessive" with "inordinate" and "length" with "extent", focusing on scale and degree.

unreasonable prolongation

Replaces "excessive" with "unreasonable" and uses "prolongation" to highlight the act of extending.

gratuitous extension

Uses "gratuitous" to imply unnecessary and "extension" to focus on the act of lengthening.

surplus duration

Emphasizes the surplus or extra amount of time with "surplus duration".

unwarranted extension

Uses "unwarranted" to suggest the length is not justified or deserved.

superfluous length

Replace "excessive" with "superfluous", focuses on something that is more than sufficient or required.

needless duration

Uses "needless" to emphasize that the length is unnecessary.

overextended length

Highlights the act of extending something beyond its normal or acceptable limit.

disproportionate duration

Emphasizes that the length is not in proportion or balance with other elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive length" to describe something that is longer than necessary or desirable. For example, "The presentation's "excessive length" caused many attendees to leave early."

What are some alternatives to "excessive length"?

Alternatives include phrases like "undue duration", "inordinate extent", or "unreasonable prolongation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "excessive length"?

Use "excessive length" when you want to negatively critique something for being too long, drawn-out, or extended. It implies that the length is detrimental to the overall quality or effectiveness.

Is "excessive length" always a negative attribute?

Yes, the term "excessive" inherently carries a negative connotation. If you intend to describe something that is simply long without implying a negative judgment, consider using terms like "considerable length" or "substantial duration" instead.