quite lengthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite lengthy" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is long or takes a lot of time. Example: The contract was quite lengthy, with detailed terms and conditions that needed to be carefully reviewed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's quite lengthy.

The Guardian

In other democracies, however, constitutional arrangements have survived quite lengthy periods of crisis government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then for stretches, and quite lengthy ones, it meandered and pooled.

The New York Times - Arts

The chapters tend to include many footnotes, some of which are quite lengthy.

The Guardian

8.03pm GMT 17 mins: Powell gets upended in midfield, and needs quite lengthy treatment.

The Guardian - Sport

He warned the mission would be "quite lengthy" and would be months rather than weeks.

The Guardian

In the meantime, my recent, quite lengthy, interviews with John Biggs and Lutfur Rahman are, respectively, here and here.

The Guardian

"The recovery time for something like that was always going to be quite lengthy," the 32-year-old says now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He never discussed his relationship with Witherspoon and went to quite lengthy ends to hide it while promoting the film on which they met (2007's Rendition).

Independent

When the Supreme Court issues rulings, the justices present detailed, carefully reasoned (and often quite lengthy) written justifications for their decisions.

The Economist

Although the film is quite lengthy and strays from its source material, Fincher adequately relates an eternal love story that is truly moving.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing periods or processes, use "quite lengthy" to convey that they require significant time or steps. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the expected duration. For example, "The review process was quite lengthy, taking several months to complete".

Common error

Avoid using "quite lengthy" when describing something that is inherently short or concise. For example, saying "The summary was quite lengthy" when it's supposed to be brief is contradictory and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite lengthy" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is of considerable duration or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite lengthy" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjective phrase used to describe something of considerable duration or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, and is most often found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While highly versatile, it's best to avoid its use when describing inherently short or concise items. Alternatives such as "rather lengthy", "fairly lengthy", and "very lengthy" offer varying degrees of emphasis and formality, allowing for nuanced expression. By understanding these subtleties, writers can effectively use "quite lengthy" to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very lengthy

Emphasizes the length to a greater degree than "quite lengthy".

rather lengthy

Similar in meaning but slightly less emphatic than "quite lengthy".

fairly lengthy

Suggests a moderate degree of length.

pretty lengthy

More informal than "quite lengthy", but with a similar meaning.

comparatively lengthy

Highlights the length in relation to something else.

relatively lengthy

Indicates that something is long compared to a standard or expectation.

quite extended

Focuses on the idea of something being stretched out or prolonged.

considerably lengthy

Stresses the significance of the length.

appreciably lengthy

Implies that the length is noticeable or important.

unduly lengthy

Suggests the length is excessive or unnecessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite lengthy" to describe something that takes a considerable amount of time or has a lot of steps. For example, "The application process was "quite lengthy", requiring numerous documents and interviews".

What's the difference between "quite lengthy" and "very lengthy"?

"Very lengthy" emphasizes the duration or extent to a greater degree than ""quite lengthy"". While both indicate something is long, "very lengthy" suggests it's exceptionally so.

Which is more formal, "quite lengthy" or "pretty lengthy"?

"Quite lengthy" is generally considered more formal than "pretty lengthy". "Quite lengthy" is suitable for professional or academic contexts, while "pretty lengthy" is more informal.

What are some alternatives to "quite lengthy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rather lengthy", "fairly lengthy", or "comparatively lengthy".