substantial length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considerable or significant in terms of its duration or size. Example: "The report was of substantial length, requiring several hours to read thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Lack of a Lydian-Greek bilingual text of substantial length has seriously impeded further progress in analyzing the language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Ozawa says he cannot walk for more than five minutes without having to sit down, and he cannot conduct standing for any substantial length of time.

The New York Times - Arts

The pivotal moment in their lives seems to have been a disastrous Broadway show, a modern musical adaptation of "Antony and Cleopatra," which is re-enacted at substantial length and with all attendant satirical slobber.

The New York Times

If Mr. Obuchi is incapacitated for any substantial length of time, pressures will rise within his Liberal Democratic Party to chose a new standard bearer before the October elections.

The New York Times

But a great proportion of the human race never publishes anything, so if you're a diarist you have an unpublished manuscript of substantial length that sums up your whole life.

Independent

On Sunday, interviews with the police and with Mr. Tarloff's family and neighbors, offered a portrait of an increasingly troubled and depressed man whose actions were deemed serious enough to draw the attention of the authorities, but not grave enough to merit committing him to a psychiatric hospital for any substantial length of time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

These wires were very short, and it was necessary to braze or hammer several pieces end to end to make substantial lengths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That system of thought is also one that disallows a critique of somebody's face – no matter whether or not they're the sort of person who would go to substantial lengths to request a review of it.

The Guardian

Here there's plenty of metal in the form of pipes and cables that suggest ships' rigging and suspension bridges, but the structure is anchored by substantial lengths of gnarled and ocean-grooved wood.

The New York Times - Arts

Due to their insignificant size, they can easily move through porous media for substantial lengths.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Two case studies are also given in the chapter, where all steelwork in the shaft was isolated from the rock over substantial lengths of the shaft.

Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation Proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation 2–4 April 2001, Cape Town, South Africa

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial length" when you want to convey that something is considerable in size or duration, but avoid using it when describing abstract concepts that do not have physical or temporal dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial length" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "long" or "big" to maintain a natural tone. "Substantial length" is more suited for formal or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial length" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "substantial" modifies "length". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a considerable size or duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial length" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that is considerable in size or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for formal and technical writing, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While "considerable length" and "significant size" offer suitable alternatives, it's important to consider the specific context to maintain the appropriate tone. Avoid overusing "substantial length" in informal settings where simpler terms like 'long' or 'big' would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable duration

Focuses on time rather than physical size, emphasizing the extent of something lasting.

significant size

Shifts the emphasis to physical dimensions, highlighting the magnitude of the object.

appreciable extent

Highlights that something can be measured or quantified and is of a noticeable degree.

notable magnitude

Emphasizes the importance and scale of something.

marked dimension

Indicates a clear and visible measurement, often in a spatial context.

extensive period

Specifically relates to time, indicating a long duration.

sizeable proportion

Indicates a significant fraction or percentage of a whole.

prominent reach

Emphasizes the area or influence something covers.

considerable amount

Focuses on quantity or volume rather than spatial length.

substantial measure

Implies a significant degree or amount of something.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial length" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial length" to describe something that has a considerable size or duration. For example, "The document was of "considerable length", requiring several hours to review" or "The project took a "significant amount of time" to complete".

What are some alternatives to "substantial length"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""considerable length"", "significant size", or "appreciable extent".

When is it appropriate to use "substantial length" over simpler terms like 'long' or 'big'?

"Substantial length" is appropriate in formal or technical contexts where you want to emphasize that something is considerable or significant. In more casual settings, 'long' or 'big' might be more suitable.

Is "substantial length" only used to describe physical objects?

While often used to describe physical objects or time, "substantial length" can also be used metaphorically to describe the extent or duration of a process, project, or piece of writing. However, ensure the context is appropriate and maintains clarity.