has been a lengthy process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a lengthy process" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that has taken a significant amount of time to complete or achieve. Example: "The development of the new software has been a lengthy process, involving numerous revisions and testing phases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"This has been a lengthy process complicated by Tribune's bankruptcy".

The New York Times - Sports

It has been a lengthy process that has cost time and money.

The Guardian

Getting it right has been a lengthy process and she was only willing to show the results once she was confident they worked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, Obama said the decision to lift the ban was not based on China but on "our desire to complete what has been a lengthy process towards moving toward normalisation with Vietnam".

The Guardian

In September the Briton stated that riding for the team would be like playing football for Manchester United, but ironing out the details of the deal that took him to Britain's flagship squad has been a lengthy process as Wiggins was contracted to race for his Garmin team for 2010, and they were clearly keen to retain his services.

The Guardian - Sport

The parents of La Resurrection students came up with the idea for a school nurse and "when we found out they'd asked for this, we thought it would be something good for us to do," he said, adding that coordinating efforts among the parties involved and scheduling the initial trip to Haiti to begin meeting and interviewing candidates has been a lengthy process.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This is shown to have been a lengthy process of new category creation involving the exercise of entrepreneurial imagination.

Harvard University

The government's study of the tires was the first stage of what would have been a lengthy process.

The New York Times

So it was not Zeifman who terminated their jobs but Nixon, who short-circuited what would have been a lengthy process leading to his removal from office.

The Washington Post

It has been a lengthy but fruitful process since, based on mutual trust.

The Guardian - Sport

"This has been a lengthy, soul-searching process," John E. Klein, Randolph's president, said in a telephone interview yesterday.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been a lengthy process", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific activity or situation consumed a significant amount of time. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a lengthy process" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "prolonged endeavor" or "time-consuming task" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a lengthy process" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular activity or situation has consumed a considerable amount of time. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing various endeavors, from business deals to personal achievements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been a lengthy process" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that took a significant amount of time. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific publications. While versatile, it is advisable to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "has taken a long time" or "prolonged endeavor" for stylistic variation. This phrase is suitable for neutral to professional registers, making it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has taken a long time

Focuses on the duration, emphasizing the time consumed.

has been a prolonged endeavor

Emphasizes the effort and duration involved in the undertaking.

has been a time-consuming task

Highlights that the process required considerable time.

involved an extended period

Stresses the duration and can be applied to various scenarios.

required significant time and effort

Highlights both the temporal and exertion aspects.

was a protracted procedure

Emphasizes the formal and often tedious nature of the process.

demanded a considerable amount of time

Focuses on the demand for time the process created.

was a long-drawn-out affair

Highlights the tedious and often unwelcome extension of the process.

progressed slowly over time

Focuses on the slow pace of progress throughout the duration.

took an unexpectedly long duration

Indicates the process exceeded initial expectations in terms of length.

FAQs

What does "has been a lengthy process" mean?

The phrase "has been a lengthy process" signifies that a particular task, project, or situation has required a considerable amount of time to complete or resolve.

How can I use "has been a lengthy process" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any undertaking that took significant time, such as, "The negotiation "has been a lengthy process" due to numerous complex issues."

What are some alternatives to "has been a lengthy process"?

Alternatives include "has taken a long time", "prolonged endeavor", or "time-consuming task", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "has been a lengthy process"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something required substantial time and perhaps effort. It is particularly useful when the duration was longer than initially expected or desired.