lengthy wording

USAGE SUMMARY

'lengthy wording' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a sentence or phrase that has complicated wording or a lot of words. For example, 'The lengthy wording in the legal document made it difficult to understand.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While people on both side of the debate say the language on the November ballot is not misleading, more than a dozen elections supervisors unsuccessfully sued the state in August to remove the issue from the ballot because of its complicated, lengthy wording.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I will avoid lengthy words," he wrote, "and will make use of those terms which workers commonly use today".

The Guardian - Arts

When Holmes's short, fast swing sent another monster drive into a swale to the right of the 9th fairway, he found Azinger materialising to have a lengthy word in his ear.

The Guardian - Sport

That same day, HP puts out a lengthy (2,056 words) news release as well as a link to the presentations to be used at the meeting.

The Guardian - Tech

The second sign is that "Unearthing" is not a comic book at all, but a lengthy spoken-word recording accompanied by an atmospheric musical soundtrack and a book of photographs.

The New York Times - Books

Lengthy discussion.

The New Yorker

"Everything requires a lengthy discussion".

The New York Times

The woes of vb.ly, a website that used Libya's.ly domain name, highlight a neglected problem for web businesses and users.Web page addresses have to be both lengthy (key words help search-engine rankings) and terse (to be snappy and memorable, and to fit on Twitter).

The Economist

After TMZ.com posted the tweets, Brown offered up a lengthy apology: "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and frustrated I am over what transpired publicly on Twitter".

Huffington Post

A representative for the notoriously reclusive Hill released a lengthy, strongly worded statement shortly after the performance that noted that the singer pulled out because of "its last-minute nature" and pointed toward advance word of her appearance by the Grammys.

Los Angeles Times

A lengthy private discussion ensued between the two barristers about the exact wording of the admission.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lengthy wording", ensure the complexity is necessary and contributes to precision, rather than obscuring the message. If clarity is paramount, consider simplifying the language.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthy wording" to express simple ideas. Opt for clear and concise language to ensure your message is easily understood. Clarity trumps complexity in most communication scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy wording" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where the adjective "lengthy" modifies the noun "wording". It describes the characteristic of the wording being extended or complex.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lengthy wording" is a phrase used to describe text that is complicated or extended. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct phrase. While relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether the complexity is necessary for precision or if simpler language would improve clarity. Alternatives like "complex language" or "verbose phrasing" can be used depending on the specific context. The key is to balance detail with readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicated wording

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty in understanding the language used.

wordy expression

This suggests that the expression is unnecessarily long and uses too many words.

verbose phrasing

This alternative focuses on the characteristic of using more words than necessary.

convoluted language

This implies the language is intricate and difficult to follow.

complex language

This alternative emphasizes the intricacy and difficulty in understanding the language used.

overly descriptive language

Highlights the use of many adjectives and descriptive terms.

detailed phrasing

This alternative suggests that the wording includes many specific details.

extended verbiage

This alternative highlights the use of an excess of words.

rambling prose

This suggests the writing lacks focus and wanders from the main point.

ponderous prose

This alternative suggests the writing style is serious and perhaps overly labored.

FAQs

How can I use "lengthy wording" effectively in my writing?

Use "lengthy wording" judiciously when precision is required, such as in legal or technical documents. However, prioritize clarity and conciseness in general writing to avoid confusing your audience.

What are some alternatives to "lengthy wording"?

Consider using phrases like "verbose phrasing", "complex language", or "detailed phrasing" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always bad to have "lengthy wording"?

No, it's not always bad. In some contexts, like legal contracts or scientific papers, detailed and precise language is necessary, even if it results in "lengthy wording". The key is to balance detail with clarity.

How does "lengthy wording" differ from jargon?

"Lengthy wording" refers to the length and complexity of the words used, while jargon refers to specialized terms or phrases used within a particular field. While jargon can contribute to "lengthy wording", the two are not synonymous. Jargon might be concise but incomprehensible to outsiders, whereas "lengthy wording" is about the sentence structure and word choice making it excessively long or complicated.