lengthy intermission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lengthy intermission" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a break or pause in an event, such as a performance or meeting, that lasts for a considerable amount of time. Example: "After a lengthy intermission, the audience was eager to see the second act of the play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Something must have happened during the lengthy intermission.

The New York Times - Arts

Restless after a lengthy intermission followed by myriad in-ring speeches, the heavily Armenian crowd was revved and ready for Tarverdyan from the moment "Eye of the Tiger" accompanied him to the ring.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lengthy intermissions will enable audience members to walk from setting to setting along winding streets and riverfront promenades, but according to the production company, Opera on Site, buses and horse-drawn carriages will be available to those who prefer to move more quickly.

The New York Times - Arts

This building has served as a vital pilgrimage destination for the past 16 centuries, despite several lengthy intermissions in which the structure was annihilated and rebuilt.

Vice

Fury landed his shots and suddenly Wilder was accepting the tie ups and back to throwing one punch at a time with lengthy intermissions.

Vice

Part of us wishes there were lengthy intermissions between sets so we could spend hours exploring all of the festival's so-called "lands".

Huffington Post

Part of us wishes there were lengthy intermissions between sets so we could spend hours exploring all of the festival's so-called "lands". More so than any other music festival, Outside Lands is dedicated to providing attendees a multifaceted weekend.

HuffPost

There is another lengthy pause.

BBC

Kooman made Jason's wife Ali more patient and understanding in dealing with Jason's lengthy absences from home and removed the intermission.

Wikipedia

In some ways, the trend harks back to the age of cinema intermissions – short breaks in the middle of lengthy films designed to allow projectionists to change reels and audience members to stretch their legs and/or sneak into neighbouring screens.

The Guardian - Film

After the intermission, Isaac Stern, as president of Carnegie Hall, presided over a lengthy but humorous tribute to Ms. Horne.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lengthy intermission" to clearly indicate that a break is longer than usual, managing expectations for audiences or participants.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthy intermission" when a short, standard break is intended. The adjective "lengthy" implies a notably extended duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy intermission" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lengthy" modifies the noun "intermission". This indicates a break or pause of considerable duration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lengthy intermission" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a break of extended duration, as validated by Ludwig. While relatively rare in occurrence, it effectively conveys the message of a longer-than-usual pause in various contexts, primarily within news and media. Alternatives such as "extended break" or "prolonged pause" can be used to express similar meanings. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for intermissions that are truly longer than average to avoid misleading audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Long break

Simply shortens "lengthy" to "long".

Lengthy interval

Uses a more general term for a break or space between events.

Extended break

Focuses on the duration of the pause.

Prolonged pause

Emphasizes the continuation of the break for a significant time.

Long recess

Suggests a formal or structured break, similar to an intermission.

Sizable pause

Refers to the substantial duration of the break.

Significant downtime

Highlights the period of inactivity or non-operation.

Considerable hiatus

Indicates a substantial gap or break in activity.

Extensive respite

Focuses on the rest or relief provided by the break.

Protracted lull

Implies a period of quiet or inactivity that is unusually long.

FAQs

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

You can use "lengthy intermission" to describe a long break during an event. For example: "After a "lengthy intermission", the audience was eager for the second act."

What are some alternatives to "lengthy intermission"?

Alternatives include "extended break", "prolonged pause", or "lengthy interval" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "lengthy intermission" in formal writing?

Yes, "lengthy intermission" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to emphasize that a break or pause is longer than usual. The phrase is readily understandable in various contexts.

What distinguishes a "lengthy intermission" from a regular "intermission"?

The word "lengthy" indicates that the break is notably extended in duration compared to a standard or typical intermission. A regular "intermission" might be 15-20 minutes, while a "lengthy intermission" could be significantly longer.