lengthy time away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lengthy time away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extended period of absence from a place or situation. Example: "After a lengthy time away from home, she finally returned to visit her family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Evans said his impressive play on the road came simply from needing to play hard, not reveling in the Nets' lengthy time away from home.

The New York Times - Sports

Not after it seemed as if Rogers would be spending a lengthy time away -- if not a permanent escape -- from soccer following his public disclosure of his sexual orientation, and not with his MLS rights being controlled by the Chicago Fire.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

HCT is also marked by a lengthy recovery period and high potential for medical complications that may lead to extended time away from work for patients and caregivers.

Bone Marrow Transplantation

Limitations of environmental studies include the lengthy time lapse between exposure to onset, diagnosis, and case investigation, during which time the microbe may be washed away from an aquatic environment.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Some more time away together.

The New York Times

The former New Zealand and Crusaders fullback Leon Macdonald was no stranger to concussion problems throughout his lengthy career, and there is no doubt he would have played more than the 56 tests he did for the All Blacks, the 122 games for the Crusaders and 37 games for Canterbury had he not spent so much time away from the game because of concussions.

The New York Times - Sports

Time away: 17 years.

BBC

… "Takes my time away".

TechCrunch

Time away from family.

TechCrunch

He said: "We have got a fairly lengthy time to go.

BBC

Difficulty with recruitment can cause lengthy time delays to a research project.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an absence, ensure the context clarifies the reason for the "lengthy time away". Provide details on what the subject was away from to give the phrase more impact.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthy time away" without providing context or a reference point. Saying someone had a "lengthy time away" is less effective than specifying, for example, "a lengthy five-year time away".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy time away" functions as a noun phrase, where "lengthy" modifies the noun "time", indicating a significant duration. It describes a period of absence, often emphasizing its extended nature. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe absence from home, work, or a particular activity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lengthy time away" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear expression used to describe an extended period of absence. While not exceedingly common, it appears in varied sources ranging from scientific journals to news outlets. As Ludwig indicates, its purpose is to emphasize the duration of the absence, making it suitable for contexts where the length of time is significant. When using this phrase, consider providing specific details about what the subject was away from to maximize its impact. Alternative phrases such as "extended absence" or "prolonged absence" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable time away

Adds emphasis by using "considerable" to describe the length of time.

extended absence

Focuses on the state of being away rather than the duration.

prolonged absence

Similar to 'extended absence', but emphasizes the duration of the absence.

long duration

Highlights the length of the period more directly.

protracted period

Implies a drawn-out and possibly tedious length of time.

lengthy interval

Uses a more formal term ('interval') to describe the time span.

extended leave

Suggests an approved or authorized absence, often from work or duty.

long-term separation

Emphasizes the separation aspect, suitable when discussing relationships or locations.

significant time span

Highlights the importance or impact of the length of time.

long spell away

Uses the word "spell" to mean a continuous period of time, usually shorter than "lengthy".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lengthy time away" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "extended absence" or "prolonged period of absence". These options provide a more elevated and professional sound.

What's a simpler way to say "lengthy time away"?

You can simplify it to "long time away" or "extended time away" for everyday conversation. These are more common and easier to understand.

Is it correct to say "a lengthy time away"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The adjective "lengthy" modifies "time", indicating a significant duration of absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

What situations benefit most from using the phrase "lengthy time away"?

This phrase is best used when emphasizing the duration of an absence and its potential impact. It works well in formal writing or when the period is unusually long, unlike a short vacation.