long and specific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long and specific" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is detailed and extensive in length, often referring to instructions, descriptions, or explanations. Example: "The report was long and specific, covering every aspect of the project in great detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Odour memory is long, and specific smells can vividly revive a past situation and emotion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unions invariably have a long and specific list of demands, while Occupy Wall Street has not articulated formal ones.

The New York Times

If I feel there is some good material in the paper but it needs a lot of work, I will write a pretty long and specific review pointing out what the authors need to do.

Science Magazine

Further, the scheme is well-balanced for bathymetry functions that are not surface piercing and can handle wetting and drying in a GPU-friendly manner without resorting to long and specific case-by-case procedures.

Computers & Fluids

You don't get into Oasis without signing a membership form and agreeing to follow an impressively long and specific list of club rules, which emphasize consent and privacy.

Vice

Since the recognition site is rather long and specific, I- SceI recognition sites are absent in most eukaryotic genomes, including the T. reesei genome.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Lord Nelsons were notoriously difficult for inexperienced crews to fire properly, due to their long firebox, and specific crews who had proven experience in firing the locomotives were therefore allocated to them.

Wikipedia

Hence, we tend to think of biopolymers as rather long and very specific in their sequence.

Biology Direct

LncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) are a unique class of RNAs that are >200 bp long and show specific spatiotemporal expression profiles (Batista and Chang, 2013).

ASN Neuro

The effect is dose-dependent, long-lasting, and specific.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

5 Contemporary studies of naturally occurring infections in children suggest that heterotypic immunity protects against illness for 1 3 years, 6– 9 and homotypic immunity is long-lived and specific to the infecting DENV-type.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long and specific", ensure that both qualities are genuinely present. If something is long but lacks specifics, or vice versa, rephrase to more accurately reflect its characteristics.

Common error

While "long and specific" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "detailed and extensive" or "thorough and precise" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long and specific" functions as a descriptive compound adjective, modifying a noun by indicating two qualities: length and specificity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is valid and usable in English, as shown by multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long and specific" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a descriptive compound adjective, indicating that something is both extensive in length and detailed in its specifications. While it's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, its neutral register makes it appropriate for a variety of writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects both qualities, and consider synonyms like "detailed and extensive" or "thorough and precise" to avoid repetition. The phrase is useful for technical documentation, legal texts, or any situation where clarity and comprehensiveness are important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detailed and extensive

Emphasizes the level of detail and the breadth of coverage.

thorough and precise

Highlights accuracy and completeness.

lengthy and detailed

Focuses on the duration or extent and the level of detail.

comprehensive and targeted

Suggests a wide scope combined with a clear focus.

in-depth and particular

Stresses the depth of analysis and specific nature of the subject.

extensive and itemized

Highlights a broad reach with specific elements called out.

exhaustive and pinpointed

Emphasizes a complete exploration alongside focused accuracy.

elaborate and distinct

Suggests careful development and clear separation.

full and individualized

Conveys completeness and tailored approach.

prolonged and defined

Highlights temporal duration and distinct boundaries or limits.

FAQs

How can I use "long and specific" in a sentence?

You might say, "The instructions were "long and specific", detailing every step of the process" or "The contract contained "long and specific" clauses regarding intellectual property rights."

What are some alternatives to "long and specific"?

Consider using alternatives like "detailed and extensive", "thorough and precise", or "lengthy and detailed" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "long and specific" and "detailed and lengthy"?

"Long and specific" emphasizes both the length and the detailed nature of something. "Detailed and lengthy" focuses more on the depth of information and the duration or size. Both can be interchangeable, although "detailed and lengthy" might be preferred when the sheer volume of detail is more important than a distinct set of specifications.

When is it appropriate to use "long and specific" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "long and specific" when you want to convey that something is both extensive in length or duration and also very detailed or precise. This phrase can be effective in technical documentation, legal texts, or any situation where clarity and comprehensiveness are important.