quite long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a considerable length or duration, often in a subjective manner. Example: "The meeting was quite long, lasting over three hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Warning, it is quite long.

The Economist

(Rehearsals are apparently quite long).

The New Yorker

This list is quite long.

The New York Times

And he can use quite long sentences.

Independent

Days can be quite long.

The Guardian

My kitchen is … quite long and narrow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And besides, some of them are quite long".

Independent

These migrations may be short, even local, or quite long.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The list of potential reasons is quite long.

The New York Times

The odds on that are also quite long.

The Economist

It's quite long, at about 1,700ft, and unusually wide.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite long" to subtly emphasize that something exceeds the expected length or duration, without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid relying on "quite long" in academic or professional documents where precision is key. Opt for more specific measurements or descriptive adjectives to convey length or duration accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite long" functions as an adverb-adjective combination to modify a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a considerable length or duration. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite long" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something exceeding the expected length or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread usage in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. While versatile, remember to favour precision over "quite long" in very formal writing. Consider swapping for alternatives such as "fairly lengthy" or "comparatively long" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather lengthy

Uses a different adjective with similar meaning to describe the length.

comparatively long

Indicates a length that is notable when compared to something else.

distinctly long

Emphasizes the clarity and obviousness of the length.

fairly long

Suggests a length that is moderate but noticeable.

pretty long

A more informal way of saying fairly long, indicating a noticeable length.

perfectly long

Indicates the length is ideal or suitable for a particular purpose.

somewhat extended

Indicates a length that is beyond the usual or expected.

totally long

Emphasizes the completeness of the length, indicating it is fully long.

considerably prolonged

Focuses on the extension of duration over time.

noticeably extended

Highlights that the extension is easily observed or recognized.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite long" to describe something that has a considerable length or duration. For example, "The meeting was "quite long", lasting over three hours."

What are some alternatives to "quite long"?

Alternatives include "fairly lengthy", "rather extensive", or "comparatively long", depending on the context.

Is "quite long" a formal or informal expression?

"Quite long" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings.

What does "quite" mean in the context of "quite long"?

In this context, "quite" functions as an adverb that intensifies the adjective "long", indicating that something is noticeably or considerably long, but not excessively so. It implies a moderate degree of length.