expensive and lengthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expensive and lengthy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that requires a significant amount of money and time to complete or obtain. Example: "The project was deemed too expensive and lengthy, leading the team to reconsider their approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Large trials that examine survival rates are expensive and lengthy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Feisty unions and fussy governments make closing steel plants a difficult, expensive and lengthy process.

The Economist

Converting a sugar mill is an expensive and lengthy project, brokers said.

The New York Times

Almunia favoured a negotiated settlement over embroiling the commission in an expensive and lengthy legal battle with Google.

The Guardian - Tech

To be used in a clinical setting, open-source devices must first undergo the same expensive and lengthy FDA approval processes as any other medical device.

The Economist

For Americans, adopting from Russia is an expensive and lengthy process, often costing upward of $50,000 and requiring multiple trips to Russia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

What's more, these expensive, complicated, and lengthy procedures are ill suited to glaucoma patients who need treatment in poor countries.

MIT Technology Review

But current checking methods, generally involving laser scanning, are expensive and require lengthy set-up.

The Economist

However, these tools are often proprietary (and therefore expensive) or complicated and lengthy to administer.

Human Resources for Health

Surveys of the general population are useful to describe patterns of drug abuse, but they are very expensive, and certainly too lengthy to detect changing trends promptly [ 4].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Medical-malpractice litigation can be a lengthy, expensive, and contentious process.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expensive and lengthy", ensure the context clearly indicates both financial and temporal burdens. This phrase is most effective when you want to emphasize the significant investment required in terms of both time and money.

Common error

While "expensive and lengthy" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "costly and time-consuming" or "takes too long and costs too much" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expensive and lengthy" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes something as being costly and taking a considerable amount of time, as seen in Ludwig's examples. Its use indicates significant resource consumption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expensive and lengthy" is a commonly used phrase that serves as a compound adjective to describe something that requires both significant financial investment and a considerable amount of time. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal communication, as more casual alternatives may be preferable in informal conversations. To enhance clarity and impact, ensure the context clearly indicates the dual burden of cost and time. Always aim to select alternatives, like "costly and time-consuming", when the situation is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costly and time-consuming

Emphasizes both the monetary and temporal burdens but is slightly more common in everyday language.

protracted and costly

Swaps the order, emphasizing the prolonged nature before mentioning the cost.

high-priced and protracted

Highlights the elevated cost and extended duration, suitable for formal contexts.

financially demanding and prolonged

Focuses on the financial strain and extended period, suitable for financial or economic contexts.

dear and long-lasting

A more archaic phrasing, suggesting something valued but taking a considerable amount of time.

capital-intensive and time-intensive

Emphasizes the resources needed in terms of money and duration.

resource-heavy and protracted

Focuses on the significant resources needed and extended duration of a process or task.

lavish and lengthy

Highlights the lavish expenditure and long duration involved, suitable for describing extravagant events or projects.

cost prohibitive and time-extensive

Highlights a process that is too expensive and takes too long.

arduous and pricey

Implies a demanding process with a high price tag.

FAQs

How can I use "expensive and lengthy" in a sentence?

You can use "expensive and lengthy" to describe a process, project, or undertaking that requires significant financial resources and time. For example, "The clinical trials proved to be an expensive and lengthy process".

What are some alternatives to "expensive and lengthy"?

Alternatives include "costly and time-consuming", "high-priced and protracted", or "financially demanding and prolonged", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use both "expensive" and "lengthy"?

No, using both words emphasizes that the subject involves significant costs and a considerable amount of time. Each word highlights a different aspect of the burden, making the description more comprehensive.

In what contexts is "expensive and lengthy" most appropriate?

"Expensive and lengthy" is suitable for formal writing, business reports, or academic papers where precision and clarity are important. It's less common in casual conversations.