the full length of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the full length of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the entire extent or measurement of something, often in physical or metaphorical contexts. Example: "The cable was stretched to the full length of the room, making it difficult to walk around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Walk toward the bay the full length of this street.

The New York Times - Travel

That's the full length of the PATH tube".

The New York Times

I covered the full length of Home Pool with nary a rise.

The New York Times - Sports

Accommodation Almost all students are housed by their college for the full length of their course.

The Guardian

Through the front door is a great room stretching nearly the full length of the house.

The New York Times

Essentially Samruddhi involves handholding the farmer right across the full length of his farming endeavour.

Forbes

The experimenters transported particles the full length of their optical table, 1.5 meters.

Science Magazine

This is "basically nothing" when considering the full length of a star's life, he says.

BBC

All three bands extend the full length of the flag.

Wikipedia

If you use a medication, use it for the full length of time that is recommended.

Huffington Post

The colonoscope was advanced the full length of the colon to the cecum under direct visualization.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the full length of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured. For instance, specify "the full length of the river" rather than just "the full length".

Common error

Avoid using "the full length of" without specifying what is being measured. For example, instead of saying "the wire was the full length", clarify with "the wire was the full length of the room."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the full length of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the complete measurement or extent of something. Ludwig provides examples across various domains demonstrating this function. It specifies that something extends from one end to the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the full length of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the complete measurement, extent, or duration of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific sources. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being measured, avoiding ambiguous statements. When writing, consider related phrases like "the entire extent of" or "the complete duration of" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entire extent of

Replaces "length" with "extent", emphasizing scope rather than linear measurement.

the unbroken extent of

Replaces "length" with "extent", emphasizing scope rather than linear measurement, also clarifies "unbroken" continuity

the complete duration of

Substitutes "length" with "duration", shifting the focus to a time-based measurement.

the total distance of

Replaces "length" with "distance", highlighting the measurable space between two points.

the whole stretch of

Uses "stretch" instead of "length", implying a continuous area or distance.

the overall span of

Replaces "length" with "span", emphasizing the measurement from one end to the other.

the full measure of

Substitutes "length" with "measure", emphasizing the quantitative assessment of size or duration.

the maximum reach of

Substitutes "length" with "reach", which implies the distance something can extend.

the unbroken course of

Uses "course" instead of "length", highlighting a continuous and uninterrupted path.

the uninterrupted run of

Replaces "length" with "run", emphasizing the continuity of something over a distance or time.

FAQs

How can I use "the full length of" in a sentence?

Use "the full length of" to indicate the complete measurement or extent of something. For example: "The snake stretched "the full length of" the garden path."

What are some alternatives to "the full length of"?

You can use phrases like "the entire extent of", "the complete duration of", or "the total distance of" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "the entire length of" and ""the full length of""?

While both phrases are similar, ""the full length of"" often implies that something is being used to its maximum capacity or potential, whereas "the entire length of" simply refers to the complete measurement.

Can I use ""the full length of"" to describe time?

Yes, although it's more common to use "the full duration of" or "the entire period of", ""the full length of"" can still be used to refer to the complete duration of an event or process, particularly if there's a sense of something extending or stretching over that time.