rather lengthy

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather lengthy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that takes a long time or is wordy. For example, "The terms and conditions of the contract were rather lengthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm proud of my rather lengthy list of accomplishments," he said Thursday.

The Washington Post

For a rather lengthy list of potential problems to worry about, see Tom Herbig's Little Shop of Horrors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We have just posted a rather lengthy announcement on bspace with more guidelines and details about the research project presentations.

University of California, Berkeley

This required a rather lengthy online search through the SHARP web site until documentation for a similar product was uncovered.

Cornell University

The timing of the key votes on Saturday was unclear, but it will be a rather lengthy process.

The New York Times

Distributed on California Indian Music Project, Northwest region, tape 13, side B. Description: The song is preceded by rather lengthy account of how it was conceived.

University of California, Berkeley

They used the information to create a rather lengthy profile of me, in which I was presented as a sinister neoconservative thinktank "operative".

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems a rather lengthy and tedious report of what, after all, is a routine writing task created by a problem of minor importance.

Harvard Business Review

A. Windows 98 very helpfully adds most newly installed applications to the Programs list, but the list can get rather lengthy.

The New York Times - Tech

Characters and situations emerge rather too patly, and sometimes without credible development, on the rather lengthy route "Crossing Brooklyn" takes to tie up its ends.

The New York Times

Alongside the rather lengthy main campaign, Arkham City is teaming with side missions, which players can dip in and out of at their leisure.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather lengthy" to describe processes, documents, or discussions that take more time or space than initially anticipated. It adds a touch of formality and can be suitable for both academic and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "rather lengthy" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "pretty long" or "quite long" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather lengthy" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the characteristic of something being longer than expected or typical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather lengthy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to describe something that is longer than expected. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "rather lengthy", be mindful of your audience and context; while appropriate for professional or academic settings, simpler alternatives may be better suited for casual conversation. Consider related phrases like "somewhat long" or "quite extensive" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat long

Expresses a similar idea with a less formal tone.

quite extensive

Indicates a considerable amount or scope, focusing on comprehensiveness.

fairly prolonged

Emphasizes the duration of something, highlighting its continuation over time.

relatively extended

Highlights the length in comparison to something else.

moderately prolonged

Suggests a duration that is longer than average, but not excessively so.

appreciably long

Implies a noticeable or significant length.

noticeably extended

Focuses on the ease with which the length can be observed or recognized.

remarkably protracted

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy nature of the length.

measurably long

Highlights that the length can be quantified or assessed.

considerably drawn out

Indicates that something has been extended longer than expected or desired.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather lengthy" to describe something that takes a lot of time or is very detailed. For example: "The report was a rather lengthy analysis of the company's finances."

What's a more formal alternative to "rather lengthy"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "quite extensive" or "considerably detailed" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "rather lengthy" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "rather lengthy" might sound slightly formal in casual settings. Simpler alternatives such as "pretty long" or "quite long" may be more suitable.

Which is the difference between "rather lengthy" and "very long"?

"Rather lengthy" often implies a slightly more nuanced or detailed length compared to "very long", suggesting not just duration but also perhaps complexity or thoroughness. The choice depends on the specific aspect of length you wish to emphasize.