overly lengthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly lengthy" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is excessively long or verbose. For example: - "The professor's lectures were often overly lengthy, causing many students to lose focus." - "Her essay was criticized for being overly lengthy and lacking in concise arguments." - "I asked for a summary, not an overly lengthy explanation." - "The contract was filled with overly lengthy clauses and legal jargon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In our overly lengthy talk she went on to say that the gesture of having the puppy examined and inoculated with a rabies shot would testify to the good will required to care for the animal and increase its likelihood of being deemed suitable.

The New Yorker

There's already an element of repetition evident in the overly lengthy Catching Fire, and although new incumbent Francis Lawrence has proved himself an efficient director, one cannot help but wonder whether Gary Ross bailed out partly because he didn't want to repeat himself.

The Guardian - Film

(One might also question the apparent fondness for movies with overly lengthy names demanding subtitles - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is another...) Amid this quintet, is it any wonder that the inclusion of Lost in Translation seems semi-miraculous?

The Guardian - Film

Beyond that, the volume of non-sampling errors that are guaranteed to enter the process, from poorly designed questions to overly lengthy complicated surveys to poorly trained interviewers, mean that non-sampling errors could have an even greater negative impact than sampling errors do.

Huffington Post

The large size of certain private first line TB drug markets is consistent with some previous reports, e.g., that in India 86% of patients first sought help in the private sector [24], and that private practitioners provide overly lengthy regimens [5].

Plosone

Ensure that they look professional and provide ample details on what you will do and at what cost, without being overly lengthy.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The micro-review site will forward your Blipps to Twitter, Facebook, and FriendFeed (although the fact that it allows 20 characters more than Twitter means that overly-lengthy reviews will be shortened when they are translated into Tweets).

TechCrunch

Liteman warned against coming up with a lengthy and overly detailed document "with numbered points and sub-points that no one will read when they return to the office".

Forbes

The last half an hour of the slanted report included lengthy and overly sympathetic interviews with the wives of the three convicted soldiers as they praised their husbands, calling them "heroes," and explaining how wonderful they were.

Huffington Post

The Wall Street Journal speculated that the lengthy and overly dramatic statement from Gingrich spokesman Rick Tyler might have been written by the candidate himself, but Tyler claimed the words as his own.

Huffington Post

Make sure your editorial isn't lengthy or overly esoteric.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "overly lengthy", ensure that you are providing context for why the length is problematic. For instance, specify if it is causing confusion, wasting time, or detracting from the main point.

Common error

Avoid pairing "overly lengthy" with words that already imply length, such as "duration" or "period of time". This creates unnecessary redundancy; simply use "overly lengthy" to convey the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly lengthy" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase. It describes a noun by indicating that it possesses an excessive amount of length. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used expression. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in describing talks, movies, names, surveys, and regimens.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overly lengthy" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that is excessively long. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears frequently enough in various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and wiki sources, to be considered a useful and recognizable expression. Its purpose is typically to express a negative evaluation of the length, implying that it is undesirable or problematic. When using "overly lengthy", ensure you provide context for why the length is an issue and avoid redundant phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively long

This alternative simply replaces 'overly' with 'excessively'.

overlong

This alternative is a simpler, single-word substitute for "overly lengthy".

unnecessarily long

This alternative emphasizes the lack of necessity for the length.

needlessly extended

This alternative emphasizes that the length serves no real purpose.

drawn out

This alternative suggests that something lasted longer than necessary or expected.

unduly prolonged

This alternative uses more formal language and focuses on the extension of time.

protracted unnecessarily

This alternative highlights the action of prolonging something without a good reason.

long-winded

This alternative is often used when referring to speech or writing that is unnecessarily lengthy and complex.

inordinately extended

This alternative uses a stronger word to indicate the unusual degree of length or duration.

tediously long

This alternative focuses on the boring quality of excessive length.

FAQs

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

You can use "overly lengthy" to describe anything that is excessively long. For example, "The report was criticized for being "overly lengthy" and difficult to understand".

What are some alternatives to saying "overly lengthy"?

Some alternatives include "unnecessarily long", "excessively long", or "unduly prolonged". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "overly long" or "overly lengthy"?

Both "overly long" and "overly lengthy" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Overly lengthy" might sound slightly more formal, while "overly long" is more concise.

What makes something "overly lengthy"?

Something is "overly lengthy" when its duration or extent is considered excessive, unnecessary, or detrimental to its purpose. It suggests that the length is a negative attribute.