lengthy trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lengthy trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a trial that takes a long time to complete, often in a legal context. Example: "The lengthy trial lasted for several months, drawing significant media attention and public interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That agreement prevented a lengthy trial.

The Guardian - Music

Obtaining that help, however, can become a lengthy trial.

The Washington Post

After a lengthy trial, Haughey and three others were acquitted.

The Guardian

Unlike impeachment proceedings, the ouster proposed by lawmakers would not require a lengthy trial, he said.

The New York Times

Iraq has proved to be a lengthy trial of struggle, drift, public failure and private embarrassment.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the lengthy trial, 171 witnesses were heard, among them survivors of shelling and sniping incidents.

The New York Times

After a lengthy trial, Haughey and three others were aquitted by a jury.

The Guardian

During Mr. Taylor's lengthy trial, which began in 2006, the judges heard testimony from 115 witnesses.

The New York Times

Midway through the lengthy trial, he and his wife were among the many released.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Irrespective of the method used, reconstitution is often an intractable, lengthy trial-and-error procedure.

Analytical Chemistry

Additionally, clinicians are unable to reliably predict patient responses to therapeutics, forcing refractory patients to undergo a lengthy trial-and-error approach to optimizing treatment.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lengthy trial", consider the context. If you want to emphasize the difficulty or arduous nature of the trial, adding adjectives like "arduous" or "challenging" can enhance the description.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthy trial" when a simple "long trial" suffices. "Lengthy" implies a trial that is excessively long or unexpectedly drawn out, not just any trial that takes more than a day or two. Use "long trial" when indicating duration without implying excessiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy trial" functions as a noun phrase, where "lengthy" modifies the noun "trial". It describes a specific type of trial characterized by its extended duration. Ludwig shows the phrase commonly used to refer to legal proceedings that take a significant amount of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lengthy trial" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a trial that takes a significant amount of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase frequently appears in news and media, as well as encyclopedias, highlighting legal proceedings. While the phrase itself is straightforward, understanding its implications and choosing appropriate alternatives like "protracted trial" can enhance clarity and precision in writing. Remember that using "lengthy" often implies an excessive or unexpectedly long duration, differentiating it from a simply "long" trial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protracted trial

A more concise way of saying the trial was lengthened.

time-consuming trial

Directly emphasizes the amount of time required for the trial.

long-lasting trial

Stresses the endurance and prolonged duration of the trial process.

long-drawn-out trial

Reinforces the idea of a trial that takes an excessive amount of time.

protracted legal proceedings

Highlights the formal legal aspect and the drawn-out nature of the proceedings.

extended court case

Focuses on the court aspect and the prolonged duration of the case.

long and arduous trial

Adds emphasis to the difficulty and exhausting nature of the trial.

prolonged legal battle

Emphasizes the adversarial nature and extended duration of the legal process.

drawn-out court battle

Implies a contentious and prolonged legal struggle within the court system.

extensive legal examination

Stresses the thorough and time-consuming nature of the legal examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "lengthy trial" to describe a court case that takes a significant amount of time to complete. For example: "The "lengthy trial" exhausted the jury and legal teams."

What's a good substitute for "lengthy trial"?

Alternatives include "protracted trial", "long-drawn-out trial", or "time-consuming trial". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "long trial" and "lengthy trial"?

While both refer to trials that take considerable time, "lengthy trial" often suggests the duration is excessive or unexpected, whereas "long trial" simply indicates it took a notable amount of time.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lengthy trial"?

Use "lengthy trial" when you want to emphasize that a trial took an unusually long time, often causing significant impact or difficulty for those involved. For example, "The "lengthy trial" disrupted the lives of many witnesses."