it was a lengthy process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a lengthy process" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that took a considerable amount of time to complete. Example: "The project was challenging, and it was a lengthy process to gather all the necessary data and finalize the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Still, it was a lengthy process to get Zwivel off the ground.

The New York Times

It was a lengthy process.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a lengthy process.

The Washington Post

But it's a lengthy process.

The Guardian - Books

"It's a lengthy process to get somebody out".

The New York Times

It is a lengthy process that can go on for hours.

The Guardian

It's a lengthy process, but we meet once a week to make sure we're on schedule.

Cornell University

"It's a lengthy process, especially when you are dealing with a first-in-kind product that cuts across many dimensions," she said in a brief interview.

The New York Times

It is a lengthy process for large data sets as the time complexity of this process is O(N log N), where N is number of triangles.

Computers & Geosciences

Fuel prices and carbon footprinting mean Holloway is encouraging local suppliers to grow wheatgrass, but it's a lengthy process and most of the reed comes from abroad.

The Guardian - Money

It's a lengthy process, and has also required us to trace what happened to participants after the trials finished, to see if they developed cancer subsequently.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a lengthy process" to accurately describe tasks or projects that required substantial time and effort. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was a lengthy process" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "time-consuming", "protracted", or by describing the specific steps that made the process long.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a lengthy process" functions as a statement describing the duration and complexity of an event or task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It typically acts as a subject complement, providing information about the subject, which is often an implied action or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was a lengthy process" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe tasks or events that required a significant amount of time and effort. Ludwig AI indicates it is more formal than informal, fitting for a range of contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. While generally neutral, consider more descriptive synonyms to avoid overuse and provide greater detail about the specific process. The phrase is relatively rare, suggesting opportunities to enhance writing with more specific descriptions of the processes involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a time-consuming endeavor

Substitutes "lengthy" with "time-consuming" and "process" with "endeavor", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it took a significant amount of time

Focuses specifically on the time aspect of the process, using more direct language.

the process extended over a considerable period

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the duration of the process, using more formal vocabulary.

it was a long-drawn-out procedure

Uses a slightly more informal tone, emphasizing the tediousness of the process.

it was a protracted undertaking

Replaces "lengthy process" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the extended duration and the effort involved.

it involved a long and complicated procedure

Highlights both the length and complexity of the procedure.

it required considerable time and effort

Breaks down the "lengthy process" into its constituent parts: time and effort, providing a more explicit explanation.

the task demanded a lot of time

Focuses on the demand for time that the task imposed.

it was a drawn-out affair

Emphasizes the tedious and prolonged nature of the process, often implying a negative connotation.

it wasn't a quick fix

Implies that the process was long by stating that it was not quick.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a lengthy process" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a lengthy process" to describe a task or situation that took a considerable amount of time to complete. For example, "The data analysis "it was a lengthy process" because we had to clean and validate a large dataset."

What can I say instead of "it was a lengthy process"?

You can use alternatives like "it was time-consuming", "it took a long time", or "it was a protracted undertaking" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was a lengthy process" or "it was a long process"?

Both "it was a lengthy process" and "it was a long process" are grammatically correct. However, "lengthy" often implies that the process also involved complexity or multiple steps, while "long" simply refers to the duration.

Is "it was a lengthy process" formal or informal?

"It was a lengthy process" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While acceptable in most contexts, more informal alternatives include "it took forever" or "it was a long haul".