the very length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the specific length of something, often in a context where the length is significant or noteworthy. Example: "The very length of the novel made it a daunting task for many readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Now the very length of time counts against us.

The Guardian

But the very length of the transition will make it less painful.

The Economist

The very length and complexity of the modern food chain breeds a culture of ignorance and indifference among eaters.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the very length of time that Mr. Shilom and Mrs. November waited gives their tale a special measure of poignancy.

The New York Times

Those studying architecture appear to be under added burdens, emanating perhaps from the very length of the course and time taken before earning a proper income.

The Guardian

The strange limbo period that America currently finds itself in is dangerous, considering the state of the economy and the very length of the transition period, which at 77 days now seems far too long.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

If Mr. Lawrence thought to give intensity to the whole length (the very considerable length) of his story by this mingling of contrary passions, he miscalculated seriously.

The Guardian - Books

The graphs of the sensitivity and specificity vs. sequence lengths are shown in Figures  2 and 3. When we focused on the very short length group ([60 100 nt)), we noted that our model outperformed the other four models.

Biology Direct

While utilising deterministic models, such as the Richards Equation, may be appropriate at the column scale there are practical difficulties due to the very small length scale variability in each of the input variables.

CATENA

Compared to mRNA, however, due to the very short length of miRNAs, it is a challenge to design proper primers to achieve miRNAs/DNA co-extraction and co-analysis.

Forensic Science International: Genetics

However, due to the very short length of the miRNA sequences, the results of order estimation were too poor.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very length" to emphasize that the specific duration or dimension is a crucial factor in your argument or description.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very" for emphasis; instead, consider using more descriptive adjectives or rephrasing the sentence to highlight the significance of the length more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very length" functions as a determiner phrase emphasizing a specific duration or dimension. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to highlight the importance of the length.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very length" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific measurement or duration. As Ludwig AI notes, it's suitable for highlighting significance in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic writings. While alternatives like "the precise length" or "the exact length" exist, "the very length" adds a nuanced layer of emphasis. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid overuse of "very", opting for more descriptive language when appropriate. The phrase's function and purpose is to add noteworthiness to the topic being written about.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the precise length

Replaces "very" with "precise", emphasizing accuracy and exactness rather than intensity.

the exact length

Substitutes "very" with "exact", focusing on the accurate measurement of the length.

the specific length

Replaces "very" with "specific", highlighting a particular length being referred to.

the sheer length

Uses "sheer" instead of "very" to emphasize the magnitude of the length.

the considerable length

Replaces "very" with "considerable", indicating that the length is substantial or noteworthy.

the total length

Focuses on the aggregate length, implying a measurement of the whole.

the overall length

Similar to "total length", but suggests a general or encompassing measurement.

the full length

Emphasizes that the entire length is being considered, without any reduction.

the extended length

Highlights that the length is longer than usual or expected.

the unusual length

Indicates the length is atypical and perhaps surprising.

FAQs

How can I use "the very length" in a sentence?

Use "the very length" to emphasize that the duration or dimension is a key element. For example: "The success was due to the very length of their commitment."

What are some alternatives to using "the very length"?

You can use alternatives like "the precise length", "the exact length", or "the specific length" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "very" with "length"?

While "very" can sometimes be redundant, in the phrase "the very length", it serves to emphasize the particular duration or dimension being discussed, making it acceptable in many contexts.

How does "the very length" differ from "the length"?

"The length" simply refers to a measurement, while "the very length" highlights that particular measurement as significant or noteworthy. It adds emphasis to its importance in the context.