negotiated at length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negotiated at length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where discussions or negotiations took a considerable amount of time and involved detailed deliberation. Example: "The terms of the contract were negotiated at length, ensuring that both parties were satisfied with the final agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Priebus made getting a health care bill passed in the House a career-defining moment for himself, and he negotiated at length with the conservative lawmakers.

The New York Times

The requisites for a peace agreement have been discussed and negotiated at length by countless administrations; what the President ought to project now to the Israelis is a vision of an overall solution consistent with previous discussions between the parties.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some of its sequences document a wide range of behavior and of coincidences that range from ordinary ugliness to serendipity: a scene in which two men in a car negotiate at length with a female prostitute, female passengers reproaching men for driving too fast or too aggressively, male passengers criticizing female drivers.

The New Yorker

For Roker, the assignment triggered memories of growing up in New York, sitting on the front steps and negotiating at length among pals over how to spend a summer day.

Los Angeles Times

The Chancellor found the initial Time-Warner transaction to have been negotiated at arms length and the restructured Time-Warner transaction to have resulted from Paramount's offer and its expected effect on a Time shareholder vote.

Harvard University

Company spokeswoman Maureen Brown added, "The settlement, which the CPUC unanimously approved, was properly negotiated at arms' length with consumer representatives, remains in the public interest and should not be rescinded". The court filing was signed by Special Agent Reye Diaz and reviewed by state Deputy Atty.

Los Angeles Times

After conducting other business, including discussion of Enron's 1999 financial statements with Andersen, the directors listened to Enron's chief accounting officer outline the partnership transactions and offer his opinion that they had all been negotiated at arm's length.

The New York Times

The premiums were not negotiated at arm's length.

Forbes

These pension deals are never negotiated at arm's length in competitive markets between parties who are free to go elsewhere.

Forbes

Sometimes a board goes outside the firm to hire a boss, and presumably those contracts are negotiated at arm's length.

Forbes

PeopleBrowsr and Twitter negotiated, at arm's length, an integrated contract with a one year term, after which either party could terminate at will after giving 30 days' notice.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "negotiated at length" to emphasize not only that a negotiation occurred, but also that it was a prolonged and thorough process. This is especially useful when the duration or intensity of the negotiation is relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "at length" solely to add emphasis without conveying the idea of duration or thoroughness. The phrase specifically refers to the time and detail involved in a discussion or negotiation. Using it in other contexts can sound awkward or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negotiated at length" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner in which something was negotiated, specifically emphasizing the duration and detail involved. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "negotiated at length" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate a prolonged and detailed negotiation process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase serves to emphasize not just the act of negotiation, but also the duration and thoroughness involved. While its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news and academic contexts, understanding its specific nuance can enhance precision in writing. Consider alternatives like "discussed extensively" or "debated thoroughly" to fit different contexts. Remember to reserve "at length" to emphasize the temporal aspect, avoiding its misuse for simple emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussed extensively

Focuses on the thoroughness of the discussion rather than the negotiation specifically.

debated thoroughly

Highlights the argumentative nature of the discussion, implying a detailed back-and-forth.

deliberated at length

Emphasizes the careful and thoughtful consideration involved in the process.

conferred extensively

Stresses the collaborative and consultative aspect of the discussion.

bargained extensively

Highlights the give-and-take aspect of the negotiation process.

hammered out the details

Implies a more intense and potentially difficult negotiation process.

thrashed out the agreement

Suggests a vigorous and potentially contentious negotiation leading to an agreement.

negotiated meticulously

Emphasizes the precision and attention to detail in the negotiation.

spent considerable time negotiating

Focuses on the amount of time dedicated to the negotiation process.

engaged in prolonged negotiations

Highlights the extended duration of the negotiations.

FAQs

How can I use "negotiated at length" in a sentence?

You can use "negotiated at length" to describe situations where discussions or negotiations were prolonged and detailed. For instance, "The contract terms were "negotiated at length" to ensure fairness for all parties."

What are some alternatives to "negotiated at length"?

Alternatives include "discussed extensively", "debated thoroughly", or "deliberated at length". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "negotiated at length and in detail"?

While not strictly redundant, saying "negotiated at length and in detail" can be unnecessarily repetitive. "Negotiated at length" already implies a detailed discussion, so adding "in detail" might not add significant value. You could consider using one or the other for conciseness.

What's the difference between "negotiated at length" and "negotiated briefly"?

"Negotiated at length" implies a prolonged and detailed negotiation, while "negotiated briefly" suggests a short and perhaps less thorough negotiation. The phrases are antonyms, conveying opposite ideas about the duration and depth of the negotiation process.