lengthy speech

USAGE SUMMARY

"lengthy speech" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a speech that is long or extended in duration. Example: The politician delivered a lengthy speech outlining his plans for economic reform.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Each character is sure to have a lengthy speech or three, and disagreements can feel manufactured.

The New York Times

The lengthy speech appeared to be a detour from the conversation on phone hacking.

The New York Times

After a lengthy speech, Mr. Skilling asked for questions from the assembled crowd.

The New York Times

Chief Parks's lengthy speech on Tuesday harshly criticized the Council, whose help he was seeking.

The New York Times

Coughlin does this every week, offering one last lengthy speech to his team about what lies ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

A lengthy speech by Uganda's 71-year-old president, Yoweri Museveni, has become a hit on social media.

The Guardian

In a lengthy speech at the opening session, Mr Li (pictured) said China would aim to maintain an economic growth rate of "around 7.5%" this year.

The Economist

Mentions the final match against Japan, on March 20th, where Castro gave a lengthy speech at the Parque Central, in Old Havana.

The New Yorker

She said the root of the country's economic problems was "crony capitalism," summoning terminology that she brought out during a lengthy speech in Iowa last week.

The New York Times

"There is no difficulty we cannot get beyond," Li Keqiang affirmed in his lengthy speech at the National People's Congress, broadcast on national television.

The New Yorker

Late in the afternoon, a lectern was placed on the soggy ground and the king opened the leather binder that held a lengthy speech.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lengthy speech", ensure the context warrants the description. Consider if a more specific adjective would provide a clearer picture of the speech's nature (e.g., "rambling", "informative", "persuasive").

Common error

Avoid automatically using "lengthy speech" to imply boredom or negativity. A speech can be long and still be engaging and informative. If the speech is negative, choose a more precise descriptor like "tedious speech" or "rambling speech".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy speech" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'lengthy' modifies the noun 'speech'. It serves to describe the characteristic of a speech, indicating its duration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lengthy speech" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a speech of considerable duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, the term's connotation can subtly shift based on context, sometimes implying that the length was either necessary or excessive. When using "lengthy speech", writers should consider whether a more descriptive adjective (e.g., "rambling", "informative") might provide greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended address

This alternative suggests a more formal and structured presentation.

prolonged discourse

This alternative emphasizes the continuous and extended nature of the speech.

long oration

This option is more suitable for a formal, ceremonial, or historical context.

protracted monologue

This suggests a single person speaking at length, possibly without interaction.

extensive talk

This is a simpler, more informal alternative.

rambling speech

This suggests the speech lacks focus and goes off on tangents.

long-winded speech

Similar to rambling, but focuses on the excessive length.

drawn-out speech

This emphasizes the slow and possibly tedious nature of the speech.

tedious speech

This focuses on the boring and uninteresting quality of the speech.

marathon speech

Emphasizes the extreme duration of the speech, often implying endurance is required to listen.

FAQs

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

You can use "lengthy speech" to describe a speech that is long in duration, such as: "The president delivered a "lengthy speech" on economic policy."

What are some alternatives to "lengthy speech"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "extended address", "prolonged discourse", or "long oration".

Is it always negative to describe a speech as "lengthy speech"?

Not necessarily. While a "lengthy speech" can be perceived negatively if it's boring or irrelevant, it can also be informative and engaging if the content is compelling. The tone depends on the context and delivery.

What is the difference between a "lengthy speech" and a "short speech"?

The primary difference is the duration. A "lengthy speech" is long and takes considerable time to deliver, whereas a "short speech" is brief and concise.