overly long

USAGE SUMMARY

'overly long' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe something that exceeds or surpasses the normal or usual limit or range, especially in terms of length. For example, "I found the report overly long and difficult to comprehend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sunday night's show was not overly long.

The New York Times

It is overly long and frequently dull.

The New York Times - Books

It didn't shock them as being overly long.

Cornell University

Overexpression of CEP120 can induce overly long centrioles.

Stanford University

Many found it overly long and the dramatic scenes lacking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a work with little narrative drive, and there were stretches that seemed overly long.

The New York Times - Arts

What did you think of the film, which was memorable mainly for being overly long?

The New York Times - Magazine

In 193 the tribunes started to investigate complaints about overly long military service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Take away the overly long summer "vacation," when kids lose ground in all subjects.

The New York Times

Then again, many great films started with overly long, even unfinished, scripts.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He's not overly long but he's very steady and has a tidy short game," McIlroy said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overly long", consider if a more precise adjective (e.g., 'protracted', 'extended') would be more impactful and clear in your writing.

Common error

While "overly long" is acceptable, overuse in formal or scientific writing can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider synonyms such as "excessively lengthy" or "unduly protracted" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly long" functions as an adjective phrase, where 'overly' modifies 'long'. It typically describes a noun, indicating that it exceeds a reasonable or acceptable length. As Ludwig AI states, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overly long" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase to describe something exceeding the acceptable length or duration. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is widely applicable across various contexts, although synonyms might enhance sophistication in formal writing. While "overly long" is considered grammatically correct, and has a high source quality score, it's important to be mindful of its specific nuances and potential alternatives for impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively lengthy

Focuses on the length exceeding what is acceptable or necessary.

unduly extended

Emphasizes that the length is unwarranted or inappropriate.

inordinately prolonged

Highlights the unusual or excessive duration.

needlessly long

Stresses the lack of justification for the length.

unnecessarily extended

Similar to 'needlessly long', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the extension.

too protracted

Highlights the dragging-out aspect of the length.

tediously long

Emphasizes the boring or wearisome quality of the length.

unacceptably long

Focuses on the fact that the length is beyond what is considered acceptable.

inappropriately lengthy

Highlights the unsuitability of the length for the given context.

excessively drawn out

Implies that something has been made longer than necessary.

FAQs

How to use "overly long" in a sentence?

You can use "overly long" to describe something that exceeds the acceptable or expected length. For example, "The meeting was "unnecessarily long" and unproductive" or "The report contained "excessively detailed" and "overly long" sections.".

What can I say instead of "overly long"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively lengthy", "unduly extended", or "inordinately prolonged" depending on the context.

Is "overly long" grammatically correct?

Yes, "overly long" is grammatically correct. "Overly" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "long", indicating that something is excessively long.

What is the difference between "overly long" and "too long"?

While both phrases indicate excessive length, "overly long" often implies a more subjective judgment, suggesting that something is longer than necessary or desirable. "Too long" is a more general statement of excessive length.