it was lengthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was lengthy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that took a considerable amount of time or was long in duration, such as a meeting, a document, or a conversation. Example: "The presentation was informative, but I found that it was lengthy and could have been more concise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"And it was lengthy, and very, very expensive".

The New York Times

The match, as compelling as it was lengthy, ended at 1 07 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously, such "venture client" collaboration was possible at BMW before the launch of that unit, but it was lengthy and cumbersome due to complex administrative barriers.

Harvard Business Review

Initially I explained why, but deleted the text because it was lengthy and, I felt, a distraction from the main point of the deal, which was the endplay on West to avoid the diamond finesse in six spades.

The New York Times

It was lengthy, comprehensive - touched on many different bases.

Huffington Post

Each and every one of the patients who read the document thought that it was lengthy.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This is not a simple task, actually it is lengthy and tedious.

Procedia Computer Science

It is lengthy, expensive and damages whatever standing a city has in the financial markets.

The Economist

It's lengthy and time-consuming, but it can be done".

The New York Times

It's lengthy, at two weeks, but necessarily so given the nearly 2,400 miles (3,860km) covered.

The Times

Now I hope it's going to be surgical, meaning, go in and do - it's lengthy and everything else.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was lengthy", consider whether a more specific adjective would provide greater clarity. For instance, instead of "it was lengthy", you might say "it was a lengthy discussion", "it was a lengthy process", or "it was a lengthy document".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it was lengthy" as a generic descriptor. Replace it with more descriptive language to add precision and detail to your writing. Instead of saying "it was lengthy", try specifying the type of length, such as "the article was comprehensive" or "the meeting was protracted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was lengthy" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something had a considerable duration or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. It serves to provide information about the duration or extent of a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was lengthy" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe something that took considerable time or was extensive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it is commonly used in news, media and scientific contexts, its frequency is uncommon. For more formal writing, consider using synonyms like "prolonged" or "extensive" for increased sophistication. When using "it was lengthy", ensure that the context is clear and that a more specific adjective doesn't better convey the intended meaning. Overall, it's a useful phrase, but mindful application enhances writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was prolonged

Emphasizes the extension of something beyond its expected duration.

it was extensive

Highlights the comprehensiveness or broad scope of something.

it was protracted

Implies an undesirable or tedious length.

it was extended

Focuses on the act of making something longer.

it was long-winded

Suggests unnecessary verbosity in speech or writing.

it was time-consuming

Highlights the amount of time required to complete something.

it was laborious

Focuses on the effort required due to the length or complexity.

it was tedious

Emphasizes the boring or monotonous nature of something due to its length.

it was drawn out

Suggests that something was unnecessarily prolonged.

it was comprehensive

Highlights the thoroughness and completeness, often implying considerable length.

FAQs

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

Use "it was lengthy" to describe something that took a considerable amount of time or had a significant duration. For example: "The presentation was informative, but "it was lengthy" and could have been more concise."

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

You can use alternatives like "it was prolonged", "it was extensive", or "it was time-consuming" depending on the context.

Is "it was lengthy" formal or informal?

"It was lengthy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "it was protracted" or "it was extensive" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "it was lengthy" and "it was long"?

While both phrases indicate duration, "it was lengthy" often implies that something was longer than necessary or expected. "It was long" is a more general statement of duration without the implication of excessiveness. You could use "it was long" if you simply want to state something took a lot of time but not necessarily too much time.