lengthening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lengthening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something longer in duration, size, or extent. Example: "The lengthening of the days during summer is a welcome change for many people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The public's willingness to pay extra tax to help the NHS has reached its highest level in over a decade amid growing concern about hospitals slipping into the red, waiting lists lengthening and the service becoming unsustainable.

The Guardian

But at the same time the distance is lengthening between them and the Americans, only 25% of whom see themselves in a special relationship with the UK.

The Guardian

And they say the Trans-Pacific deal will do big favours for pharmaceutical companies and other US corporations, for instance, by lengthening copyright protections and the monopoly period for newly developed drugs.

The Guardian

It is expected to increase the retirement age to 62 or 63 from 60, while lengthening the duration of contributions required for a full pension.Italy has also announced about €25 billion in budget cuts.

The Economist

Delays for maintenance are lengthening.

The Economist

"Now that there's a lot of continuity politically, the investment horizons are lengthening," says Arminio Fraga.

The Economist

He and Mr Fillon have tried to explain the need for France to preserve benefits for tomorrow's pensioners by lengthening working life.

The Economist

In January, the figure was 17%.In this section Mike's mighty challenge More than a game In with the (almost) new Their finest hour At a crossroads Lengthening shadows Reading the tea-leaves ReprintsThis has transformed Mr Bush's presidency.

The Economist

Airbus, Europe's giant aircraft manufacturer, reckons this problem can be overcome by lengthening the catapult along a runway and accelerating aircraft more slowly.

The Economist

But in the past decade its operator, Wilson, Sons, spent 260m reais on replacing equipment, lengthening the quay and deepening the draft.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The only experiments on laboratory animals that have definitely shown a life-lengthening effect have involved subjecting rats and mice to a severely restricted diet.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lengthening" to specifically denote the act of making something longer, whether in physical length, duration, or extent. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being made longer.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthening" when a more general term like "expanding" or "increasing" would be more appropriate. For instance, don't say "lengthening influence" if you mean "expanding influence".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lengthening" is as a gerund or present participle, functioning as a noun or adjective. It describes the action of making something longer. Ludwig examples illustrate this, showing its use in contexts like ""lengthening the school day"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lengthening" is a versatile term used to describe the act of making something longer in duration, size, or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While "lengthening" is generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use it precisely, avoiding misuse in abstract contexts where broader terms like "expanding" or "increasing" might be more appropriate. Common alternatives include "extending" and "prolonging", each carrying its own specific nuance. Remember to check if context clearly indicates what is being made longer. If the reference is to abstract concept, then extending may be a better fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extending

Focuses on increasing the reach or scope, rather than necessarily the duration.

prolonging

Emphasizes the act of making something last longer, primarily in terms of time.

increasing

A broader term that denotes a general rise in quantity, size, or degree, not limited to length.

expanding

Suggests an increase in size or scope, often implying growth in all dimensions.

stretching out

Implies making something longer, often by pulling or exerting force.

drawing out

Suggests making something last longer, often artificially or unnecessarily.

elongating

A more formal term that specifically means to make something longer.

heightening

Refers to increasing height or intensity, not length.

worsening

Indicates an increase in negative qualities or severity, not related to length.

augmenting

Implies adding to something to increase its value or effectiveness, not specifically its length.

FAQs

How do I use "lengthening" in a sentence?

"Lengthening" is typically used as a gerund or present participle. For example, "The "lengthening days" of summer bring more daylight hours" or "They are considering "lengthening the school day" to improve student performance".

What are some alternatives to "lengthening"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "extending", "prolonging", "increasing", or "expanding". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lengthening" when referring to abstract concepts like a process or a relationship?

Yes, "lengthening" can be used for abstract concepts. For example, "Lengthening the process may provide more time for thorough analysis" or "lengthening the relationship through open communication".

What's the difference between "lengthening" and "extending"?

"Lengthening" typically refers to making something longer in a literal or figurative sense, such as "lengthening a road" or "lengthening a contract". "Extending" can also mean making something longer but often implies increasing the scope or reach, such as "extending an invitation" or "extending a deadline".