has a long tail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a long tail" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in contexts related to statistics, marketing, or data analysis to describe a distribution where a large number of occurrences are far from the "head" or main part of the distribution. Example: "The online marketplace has a long tail of niche products that cater to specific customer interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"War has a long tail".

The New Yorker

"This is a recession that has a long tail".

The New York Times

Matt The Premier League has a long tail of utterly mediocre identikit teams.

The Guardian - Sport

England has a "long tail" of underachievers, who stubbornly resist attempts to improve their performance.

The Economist

This is a young, well-managed company that is increasingly well positioned in a marketplace that has a long tail wind of secular growth.

The New York Times

Typically they don't make a lot of money," says an executive.The car industry also has a long tail of flaky businesses.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The wings have a thin brown border, and each hind wing has a long tail-like projection.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Open government data is likely to have a long tail.

The Guardian

But we have a long tail of other raw materials where certification does play a role".

The Guardian

A Georgian man's shirt had a long tail, which he tucked between his legs rather like a nappy.

The Guardian - Arts

The shrew-like creature weighed less than half a pound, had a long tail and ate insects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has a long tail" in statistical or business contexts, clearly define what constitutes the 'tail' to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific examples or data to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid assuming that everything with a gradual decline automatically "has a long tail". Ensure that the tail genuinely represents a significant portion of the overall distribution or effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a long tail" functions as a descriptive idiom. It's used to characterize something, be it a distribution, effect, or situation, as having a significant portion that extends far beyond the main concentration. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a long tail" is a versatile idiom used across various domains to describe phenomena characterized by a significant trailing component or extended duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently encountered in Science and News & Media contexts, conveying the idea of prolonged impact or distribution. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's crucial to ensure the 'tail' genuinely represents a significant portion of the overall context to avoid misinterpretation. Related phrases include "exhibits a prolonged aftermath", offering alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibits a prolonged aftermath

This alternative replaces "tail" with "aftermath", emphasizing the extended consequences or effects of an event or situation.

demonstrates a sustained impact

This option shifts the focus to the ongoing influence or effect, rather than the distribution shape itself.

features an extended duration

This phrase highlights the length of time that something lasts, relating to the 'long' aspect of the original phrase.

is characterized by a drawn-out effect

This emphasizes the drawn-out or prolonged nature of the consequences.

possesses a lingering presence

This alternative focuses on the continuing existence or influence of something.

includes a substantial extension

Focuses on the idea of an addition of content instead of the time duration that something lasts.

shows a trailing consequence

Changes from duration aspect to the fact that there is a consequence after a while.

carries a prolonged effect

Focuses on the effect that carries on over a long period of time.

maintains an enduring quality

This shifts from duration aspect to the concept of quality that stands out for a long time.

has a lasting influence

This shifts from duration aspect to the concept of influence over time.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has a long tail"?

When something "has a long tail", it means that a large portion of its occurrences are spread far from the main concentration or 'head'. This is often used in statistics, business, and data analysis to describe distributions where a significant number of values are much smaller or less frequent than the most common values.

How can I use "has a long tail" in a sentence?

You can use "has a long tail" to describe various phenomena. For example, "The online marketplace "has a long tail" of niche products that cater to specific customer interests", or "The recession "has a long tail", with economic effects lasting for several years".

What are some alternatives to saying "has a long tail"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "exhibits a prolonged aftermath", "demonstrates a sustained impact", or "features an extended duration".

Is it grammatically correct to say "has a long tail"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "has a long tail". It's a common and accepted idiom used to describe distributions and effects that extend significantly.