speaking at length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaking at length" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to someone talking for a long period of time. For example, "The professor was speaking at length about the importance of critical thinking in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

And yes, Clinton is prone to coughing spells when speaking at length.

The Washington Post

But if you're looking for give-and-take, you won't get it by speaking at length — more likely, you'll shut people down.

Harvard Business Review

Thankfully, Castro is a good raconteur and not averse to speaking at length about episodes such as the battles in the mountains that led him to power.

The Guardian - Books

Phil Mickelson conceded he does a lot of "dumb stuff", after speaking at length for the first time about his controversial penalty during the US Open.

The Guardian - Sport

Armed with them and his acting ability he astonished the Brits with what they took to be his spontaneous speaking at length, sans text.

The New York Times

Lieutenant Plascencia's team checked in at a police station and a health clinic, taking notes and speaking at length with Iraqis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

He spoke at length.

The New Yorker

The woman spoke at length.

The New Yorker

Ron speaks slowly, speaks at length.

The New York Times

We spoke at length about his family.

The New York Times

And he spoke at length.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speaking at length" to indicate that someone is not just talking, but is providing significant detail and elaboration on a topic.

Common error

Do not use "speaking at length" when a simpler phrase like "talking" suffices. The phrase should add emphasis and detail, not just fill space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking at length" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe the action of someone talking in a detailed or prolonged manner. Ludwig AI provides many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speaking at length" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes someone talking in a detailed and prolonged manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is common in news, business, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best used when detail and elaboration are important, avoiding redundancy. Remember to consider alternatives like "discussing in detail" depending on your writing needs. The expert analysis shows the phrase's reliability and consistent application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking extensively

Focuses on the manner of talking, emphasizing its thoroughness.

discussing in detail

Highlights the depth of the discussion.

elaborating at length

Emphasizes providing more details and expanding on a topic.

expounding at length

Highlights the act of explaining something in a detailed and comprehensive way.

dwelling on the subject

Focuses on spending considerable time on a specific topic.

going into detail

Emphasizes providing specific information.

giving a lengthy speech

Highlights the form of communication as a formal speech.

prolonging the conversation

Focuses on the act of extending a conversation.

offering a verbose explanation

Implies a lengthy and possibly excessive explanation.

being long-winded

Suggests talking at tedious length.

FAQs

How can I use "speaking at length" in a sentence?

You can use "speaking at length" to describe someone who is discussing a topic in detail. For example, "The professor was "speaking at length" about the history of the Roman Empire".

What's a more concise alternative to "speaking at length"?

While "speaking at length" emphasizes detail, simpler alternatives include "discussing thoroughly" or "elaborating", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "speaking at length" in formal writing?

Yes, "speaking at length" is suitable for formal writing. It can add emphasis and clarity when detailed discussion is needed.

What is the difference between "speaking at length" and "being verbose"?

"Speaking at length" generally describes detailed discussion, while "being verbose" often implies excessive or unnecessary wordiness. The connotation is different.