length after length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "length after length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is measured or experienced repeatedly in terms of length, often implying a sense of continuation or accumulation. Example: "The fabric was cut length after length, creating a beautiful tapestry that filled the entire wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those specialising in the longer distances are all too familiar with the two-hour training sessions (usually morning and night, five or six times a week), involving length after length of slogging through the water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Russell, who turned 16 only three weeks ago, featured in the opening night race in the pool, duelling for length after length over 400m with Oxana Savchenko before the Russian edged clear in the final moments.

Independent

HOUSTON — To hear the people at Baker Hughes tell it, a drill string — length after length of narrow pipe that can extend for miles into the earth — is far from a rigid assembly of high-strength steel.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

After reducing the length, new length will become x-1 as follows.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

While telomeres in blood leukocytes are significantly short (average length of 4.4 kb, Figure 2A), telomeres in fibroblasts appear normal in length (average length of 6.6 kb after growth in culture to PDL 10, Figure 5C).

Plosone

Ultimate strain characterizes the ability of deformation and was calculated by the alteration of length relating to the original length after failure: (3) Ultimate     strain   (ε   in   % ) : ε = Δ    length original    length ∗ 100%%.

BioMed Research International

Gradually I unwound, length by length.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Length, length, length.

Wikipedia

Femur length: Maximum length of hind femur.

Plosone

After length normalization, the negative correlation remained.

BMC Genomics

The length, after all, is no big deal.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "length after length" to emphasize continuous or repetitive actions involving measurable distances or extents, particularly when describing physical activities or processes. For instance, when discussing swimming training or the construction of a drill string.

Common error

Avoid using "length after length" in abstract or metaphorical contexts where the literal sense of physical length is not relevant. Overuse can dilute its impact. Consider alternatives like "successive attempts" or "series of events" when describing non-physical progressions.

Linguistic Context

"Length after length" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed repeatedly over a certain distance. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing swimming and construction activities, where physical length is relevant. Ludwig AI confirms it is a usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "length after length" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts. It emphasizes repetition and continuity involving physical distances or extents. While not highly frequent, its use in describing activities like swimming or drilling is apt. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. When writing, ensure its use aligns with physical actions or processes, and avoid overuse in abstract settings. Consider alternatives like "successive lengths" or "one length after another" for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one length after another

Directly replaces the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning of sequential lengths.

stretch after stretch

Replaces "length" with "stretch", focusing on a continuous extent or expanse.

segment after segment

Similar to "repeated segments" but retains the iterative structure of the original phrase.

successive lengths

Emphasizes the sequence and continuation of lengths without necessarily implying the effort or struggle associated with 'after'.

course after course

Analogous structure implying iterative movement, often used in swimming or dining contexts.

continuous stretches

Focuses on the unbroken nature of the length, shifting away from the iterative aspect.

increment after increment

Stresses the accumulative quality of measurable increases rather than lengths specifically.

repeated segments

Substitutes 'length' with 'segments', altering the focus to discrete portions that are repeated.

section by section

Breaks down the whole into parts and implies a process completed through each part.

bit by bit

Indicates a gradual process rather than specifically relating to length or distance.

FAQs

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

Use "length after length" to describe a repetitive action or measurement involving physical distance, like "The swimmer continued length after length in the pool" or "The drill string extended length after length into the earth".

What are some alternatives to using "length after length"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "successive lengths", "continuous stretches", or "one length after another".

Is "length after length" formal or informal?

"Length after length" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in descriptive writing or technical contexts rather than casual conversation.

Can I use "length after length" to describe time?

While less common, you can use "length after length" metaphorically to describe extended periods, but ensure the context implies a continuous or repetitive element. For example, you might say "The project continued, day after day, length after length, until completion".