for a lengthy time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a lengthy time" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a period of time that is longer than normal or anticipated. Example: "The construction project took for a lengthy time to complete, causing inconvenience to the local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We would need a brave group of men and women to consider publishing something that could mean they were imprisoned for a lengthy time".

The Guardian

"Whenever you extend a statute of limitation for a lengthy time," Mr. Siegel said, "you run the risk of impairing the fairness of the judicial proceeding.

The New York Times

But it was inadvertently put on its server for a lengthy time on Wednesday and available to be retrieved in an Internet search; it was eventually posted on Deadspin.com.

The New York Times

Fernández can boast that more than 500 former military officers have been sentenced in a court of law under her watch, after trials were suspended for a lengthy time due to amnesty laws passed in the 1980s.

The Guardian

Microsoft wants to ensure that workers slugging it out on long-term projects don't forfeit bonuses, or other compensation boosts merely because they are in the trenches for a lengthy time.

TechCrunch

WhatsApp was engaged by Google for a lengthy time (the company has publicly stated it never made a formal offer), although it seemed that the founder Jan Koum was not interested in a deal with the search company.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The good news is that Neptune will be in its natural sign, Pisces for the next 13 years, assuring a lengthy time for its likely healing effects to be felt in our society.

Huffington Post

He says: "Ports, harbours and estuaries can be challenging places to routinely monitor for pollutants, often with a lengthy time period between sampling and transport and laboratory time for analysis.

BBC

a lengthy time for stakeholder involvement, etc., crucial energy and sustained knowledge/understanding and commitment can be compromised.

BMC Health Services Research

The group met for "hours," according to Meadows, and Trump attended for "a very lengthy time".

Huffington Post

UPDATE: Google has also addressed the outage with a Tweet from its official account, which is fairly casual in tone for such a lengthy down time –.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether "for a lengthy period of time" might provide more clarity or emphasis in your sentence, especially when the extended duration is a key aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "for a lengthy time" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "for an extended period" or restructuring the sentence to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a lengthy time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by indicating the duration of an action or state. It specifies how long something occurs, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples where it describes the length of imprisonment, project timelines, or trial suspensions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a lengthy time" functions as an adverbial phrase to specify duration, fitting comfortably in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it's often used to add emphasis to the duration of an action or state. While versatile, it is important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "for an extended period" for variation. Pay special attention to the context to guarantee your writing is both specific and engaging. Ludwig examples show its usefulness in discussing durations across a range of topics, from legal matters to technological developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for an extended period

Emphasizes the prolonged nature of the duration, similar to the original phrase.

over a long duration

Replaces 'lengthy time' with 'long duration' maintaining the meaning.

for a considerable period

Uses 'considerable' instead of 'lengthy' to convey substantial duration.

during an extensive time

Replaces 'lengthy' with 'extensive', focusing on the wide-ranging nature of the time.

for a protracted duration

Protracted implies an even longer, sometimes unduly extended, period.

over a drawn-out period

Highlights the slowness and extended nature of the timeframe.

for a prolonged interval

Uses 'prolonged interval' to specify an extended period between events.

during an elongated phase

Elongated emphasizes the stretched-out aspect of the phase or stage.

for an appreciable duration

Appreciable suggests that the duration is noticeable and significant.

over an extended timeframe

Synonymous to long period of time, but uses 'timeframe' to highlight planning or scheduling contexts.

FAQs

What's the difference between "for a lengthy time" and "for a long time"?

While both phrases indicate an extended duration, "for a lengthy time" suggests a duration that is perhaps unexpectedly or noticeably long. "For a long time" is more general. You could use alternatives like "for an extended period" or "for a considerable time".

How can I make my writing more specific when using "for a lengthy time"?

To enhance clarity, follow "for a lengthy time" with specific details about what occurred or was sustained during that period. For example, instead of "He waited for a lengthy time", try "He waited for a lengthy time, hoping the rain would stop".

Are there contexts where "for a lengthy time" is not appropriate?

While grammatically correct, "for a lengthy time" may sound slightly formal or verbose in very casual conversation. In informal settings, "for a long time" might be preferred. Other options include "for ages" or "for quite a while".

What are some alternative phrases to "for a lengthy time" that add emphasis?

To emphasize the unusual or excessive duration, consider using phrases like "for an inordinate amount of time" or "for an unusually long period". These alternatives can highlight the unexpected length of the duration.