great length of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great length of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extended duration or period. Example: "The project took a great length of time to complete, far longer than we initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

When Rome declined as an empire the whole business of drama went into hiding for a great length of time.

Yale University

Critics also pointed out that moving objects were not recorded or were rendered blurry and indistinct because of the great length of time required for an exposure.

Britannica

Although Australian languages have a fairly clear grammatical and phonological profile, the great length of time over which they developed makes reconstructing Proto-Australian challenging.

Britannica

3 Take off the heat, decant into a very clean jam jar (preferably sterilised, if you're planning on storing the curd for any great length of time) and lid it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Given the great length of time that stars endure (some 10 billion years in the case of the Sun), it can be shown that neither chemical nor gravitational effects could possibly yield the required energies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Part of what's informed this piece is Jung's 'Man and His Symbols.' We are born with the knowledge of the history that's preceded us, to put in a very simple way something which Jung took a great length of time to explain.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is written for anyone who enjoys pondering difficult problems for great lengths of time.

Harvard University

He preferred privacy, which gave him the freedom to think on an unprecedented scale, covering great lengths of time without bothering about the customs of concert life.

The New York Times - Arts

When Mr. Glass uses trivial ideas to support great lengths of time unaided, his music's vacancy is magnificent: a vast nothing becomes a something.

The New York Times - Arts

If there is another hobby that involves arcane equipment and boiling, then simmering, ingredients in large pots for great lengths of time, we will probably discover it next.

The New York Times

Owing to its preference for thin streams and dense vegetation and its penchant for standing extremely still for great lengths of time, this bird can often be very difficult to see away from known rookeries.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the tone. While grammatically correct, "great length of time" can sometimes sound slightly archaic; more modern alternatives might be preferable in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "great length of time" repeatedly in the same document. Vary your language with synonyms like "extended period" or "considerable time span" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great length of time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

27%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great length of time" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a prolonged duration. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. It is found across various contexts including scientific, news, and academic writings. While versatile, it tends to have a more formal or neutral tone. For informal situations, consider simpler alternatives like "a long time". When comparing durations, use "greater length of time" instead. Keep in mind its formality to ensure it fits the context of your writing and avoid overusing it to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy period

Directly replaces 'great' with 'lengthy', maintaining a similar structure.

extended period

Focuses on the period being long, less on the time measurement itself.

prolonged duration

Emphasizes the lasting nature of the duration.

considerable time span

Highlights the extent of the time covered.

significant time frame

Stresses the importance or impact of the duration.

extensive duration

Highlights the comprehensive reach of the duration.

substantial duration

Implies a noteworthy amount of time.

protracted period

Emphasizes the drawn-out nature of the time.

long time

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning.

appreciable time

Suggests a time frame that is easily noticed or matters.

FAQs

How can I use "great length of time" in a sentence?

You can use "great length of time" to indicate that something took an unexpectedly long time. For example: "The research project required a "great length of time" to complete because of unforeseen complications."

What can I say instead of "great length of time"?

You can use alternatives like "lengthy period", "extended duration", or "considerable time span" depending on the context.

Is "great length of time" formal or informal?

"Great length of time" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, you might prefer using simpler phrases like "a long time" or "ages".

What is the difference between "great length of time" and "greater length of time"?

"Great length of time" generally refers to a significant amount of time in an absolute sense. "Greater length of time" is used for comparison, indicating that one duration is longer than another.