it was really long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that took a considerable amount of time or was lengthy in duration or content. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for an hour, but it was really long, lasting almost two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was really long, like most Edwardian and Victorian dresses, and I cut off one of the tiers.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama gave a major speech in Cleveland today, by which I mean it was really long (6,607 words) and dreary.

The New York Times

It was really long and he described the crime scene and how he would be greeted by the police when he came home and the blood, and I thought, "I have thoughts like that all the time, but I would never share them with anybody".

The New Yorker

"My problem was that it was really long.

Smart Learning Environments

(Male student, 23 years) "My problem was that it was really long.

Smart Learning Environments

Sometimes, she edited too in advance; if it was really long she added her own edit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's really long.

The New Yorker

I know: it's really long.

The New Yorker

It is really long, like nine minutes long".

The Guardian

"My friends said, like, 'La Traviata,' it's really long," she says.

The New York Times

Most people won't read this story because it's really long and about LCD refresh rates.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was really long", consider the context and whether a more specific adjective (e.g., "extensive", "prolonged", "lengthy") would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of saying, "The meeting was really long", you might say, "The meeting was excessively lengthy".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "really" to emphasize length or duration. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing. Instead, consider stronger adjectives or adverbs that convey the sense of length more effectively. For instance, replace "it was really long" with "it was incredibly lengthy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really long" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It provides information about the duration or length of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. The examples show it describing speeches, dresses, and processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was really long" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing something of considerable duration or length. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, while correct, it leans toward a neutral to informal register. For more formal contexts, consider more precise vocabulary like "extensive" or "prolonged". Common usage spans news media, wikis, and science, with news sources being the most frequent. Remember to avoid overusing "really" to strengthen your writing. When possible, opt for stronger or more descriptive adjectives and adverbs to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it took a very long time

Focuses on the time duration involved.

it went on and on

A simple and direct way to express something lasting longer than expected.

it was excessively lengthy

Emphasizes that something was longer than necessary.

it seemed never-ending

Similar to "stretched on forever", emphasizing the perceived endlessness.

it stretched on forever

Implies a seemingly endless duration.

it was remarkably extensive

Highlights the wide-ranging or comprehensive nature of something long.

it was a prolonged affair

Describes something that lasted for an extended period.

it had a considerable duration

A more formal way of stating that something lasted for a significant amount of time.

it just wouldn't end

Highlights the frustration associated with something continuing for too long.

it was a marathon

Uses a metaphor to describe something that required endurance due to its length.

FAQs

What does "it was really long" mean?

The phrase "it was really long" means that something took a considerable amount of time or was lengthy in duration or content.

What can I say instead of "it was really long"?

You can use alternatives like "it took a very long time", "it was excessively lengthy", or "it stretched on forever", depending on the context.

Is it better to use a more specific adjective instead of "it was really long"?

In many cases, using a more specific adjective can provide greater clarity and impact. For instance, instead of "it was really long", consider words like "extensive", "prolonged", or "lengthy".

How can I avoid overusing intensifiers like "really"?

To avoid overusing "really", try to replace it with stronger adjectives or adverbs that convey the intended meaning more directly. Vary your word choice to make your writing more engaging and precise.