his length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to the measurement or extent of something belonging to a male subject, such as physical dimensions or duration. Example: "The carpenter measured his length to ensure the wood would fit perfectly in the frame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"His length is so dramatic," he said.

The New York Times

De Villiers trying to put Lyon off his length here.

The Guardian - Sport

And at St. Andrews, his length was a big factor.

The New York Times - Sports

Swann sensed him coming and adjusted his length accordingly.

The Guardian - Sport

Anderson gets his length just right two balls later and again goes past the outside edge.

The Guardian - Sport

Considering his length of absence Walcott looked reasonably sharp in terms of his movement.

The Guardian - Sport

"McGrady creates havoc with his help defense and his length," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He has managed to develop a capacity to change his length according to the conditions.

The Guardian - Sport

Next, Harris, a master of his length and line and no slouch.

The Guardian - Sport

'At Lord's he struggled up front with his length and line.

The Guardian - Sport

"The second thing is his body exaggerates that talent with his talent and his length.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, use "his length" to precisely indicate linear measurement, especially when contrasting it with other dimensions like width or height. For example, "His length provided an advantage in reaching for rebounds."

Common error

Avoid using "his length" when you actually mean the duration or period of something. For example, instead of saying "his length of absence", use "the duration of his absence" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his length" primarily functions as a possessive noun phrase, where "his" indicates possession and "length" is the noun being possessed. Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples illustrate this function, showcasing its use in describing physical attributes or extended periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "his length" functions as a possessive noun phrase commonly used to describe a physical attribute, range, or duration associated with a male subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. While its register is generally neutral, it is crucial to differentiate between spatial and temporal contexts to avoid ambiguity. When describing periods of time, alternatives like "his duration" or "his tenure" may offer increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the length of his

Reverses the word order, emphasizing "length" as a property of something.

the size of his

A more general way to refer to dimensions, not specifically linear length.

the extent of his

Highlights the range or scope of something belonging to him.

the span of his

Emphasizes the measure from end to end regarding something he owns or does.

the duration of his

Focuses on the temporal aspect, referring to how long something lasts related to him.

his reach

Implies the distance he can extend or influence.

his stature

Conveys a sense of physical or social standing related to size.

his height

Refers specifically to vertical measurement.

his period

Refers to the length of a specific time.

the term of his

Similar to 'period', usually applies when talking about time.

FAQs

How can I use "his length" in a sentence?

You can use "his length" to describe physical attributes (e.g., "His length gave him an advantage in basketball") or extended periods (e.g., "His length of service was commendable").

What's the difference between "his length" and "the length of his"?

While similar, "his length" directly attributes the length to him, whereas "the length of his" implies a measurement or attribute of something he possesses or is associated with.

When should I use "his height" instead of "his length"?

Use "his height" when referring to vertical measurement. Use "his length" when referring to horizontal or linear extent. For example, "his height made him a good basketball player" vs. "his length allowed him to reach further".

What are some alternatives to "his length" when referring to a period of time?

Alternatives include "his duration", "his tenure", or "his period of time" depending on the context. These are more precise when discussing time rather than spatial dimensions.