lengthy answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"lengthy answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when a response to a question or statement is expected to be long and comprehensive. For example: "What is your opinion of the current state of the economy?" She gave a lengthy answer, explaining her views in detail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Well, I'd love to," he would respond to himself, and then launch into a lengthy answer.

The New York Times

Jong gave a lengthy answer, crediting West for being "a great old broad".

The Guardian - Books

He began his response to a question about the debt ceiling with a phrase that accurately suggested a lengthy answer.

The New York Times

When a court clerk filled his water pitcher, Mr. Milken interrupted a lengthy answer to thank the person.

The New York Times

"I believe there is some misunderstanding," Mr. Zhou said, delivering such a lengthy answer that his English-speaking interpreter was unable to keep up.

The New York Times

In response to a question about the most difficult decision he had had to make in office, he wrote a thoughtful and lengthy answer that began: "The decision to surge our forces in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

They will be asked to "marshal evidence" for thoughtful, sometimes lengthy answers, and analyze paired excerpts.

The New York Times

The central issues are discussed in a series of lengthy answers by Scientology's lawyers to questions from the I.R.S.

The New York Times

Watching how closely the students attended to Vernacchio's often lengthy answers was a moving reminder of how young 17- and 18-year-olds are.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is such an enthusiastic raconteur that each question elicits lengthy answers, rich in plot twists and biographical minutiae, and in the end we run out of time.

The Guardian - Music

The Gore campaign has been portraying Mr. Bush as a neophyte frightened of any format that requires him to give lengthy answers and stray beyond sound bites.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lengthy answer" when you want to convey that a response was not only detailed but also took a considerable amount of time to deliver or read.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthy answer" when a concise and direct response would be more appropriate. Sometimes, brevity is more effective than providing an extensive explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "lengthy" modifies the noun "answer". It typically describes the characteristic of an answer in terms of its duration or the amount of detail provided. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe responses to questions or statements that are expected to be comprehensive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lengthy answer" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a response that is both detailed and relatively long. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, and to a lesser extent, in scientific contexts. While "lengthy answer" is generally neutral, it's important to avoid using it when a concise response would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "detailed response" or "long answer" may be more suitable in some situations. Ludwig also indicates that unlike the neutral "lengthy answer", phrases like "long-winded answer" carry negative connotations, suggesting unnecessary length.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long answer

Replaces "lengthy" with "long", a more common synonym indicating duration.

detailed response

Focuses on the thoroughness of the answer rather than its length.

extensive explanation

Highlights the explanatory nature of the long answer.

thorough reply

Emphasizes the completeness and exhaustiveness of the response.

comprehensive explanation

Implies a broad and inclusive answer.

elaborate response

Suggests that the answer is developed with great detail.

protracted explanation

Similar to "lengthy" but suggests that the duration may be excessive.

long-winded answer

A more negative connotation indicating that the answer is unnecessarily long and boring.

voluminous response

Emphasizes the large amount of information in the answer.

in-depth explanation

Highlights the profound and thorough nature of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "lengthy answer" in a sentence?

You can use "lengthy answer" to describe a response that is both detailed and long. For example, "The professor gave a "lengthy answer" to the student's question, covering all aspects of the topic".

What's a less formal way to say "lengthy answer"?

If you need a less formal alternative, consider using "long answer" or "detailed response". These options maintain the meaning while sounding more conversational.

What is the difference between "lengthy answer" and "long-winded answer"?

While both phrases refer to an answer that is long, ""lengthy answer"" is generally neutral. "Long-winded answer", on the other hand, usually suggests the answer is unnecessarily long and perhaps boring or irrelevant.

When is it appropriate to give a "lengthy answer"?

A "lengthy answer" is appropriate when the question requires a comprehensive explanation, and covering all relevant details is essential for clarity and understanding. Avoid it when a concise answer will suffice.