unacceptably long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unacceptably long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a duration of time that is considered too lengthy or beyond acceptable limits. Example: "The wait time for customer service was unacceptably long, leading to frustration among the customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The wait to vote was unacceptably long in some places.

The Washington Post

In the past, garbage collection has been known to create unacceptably long interruptions in function.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the court said the delay was "unacceptably long" and established the new 30-day rule.

The New York Times

The hundreds of backlogged candidates have waited "an unacceptably long time" for final consideration, he said.

The New York Times - Science

For Web users, congestion manifests itself in unacceptably long response times.

Computer Networks

However, when run simultaneously, the combined system of engine and ORC requires unacceptably long computing time.

Energy Procedia

Except for cases with a bad local minimum, this produces a good clustering, but runtimes may be unacceptably long.

Stanford University

In 2002, Fukuyama came to the conclusion that invading Iraq was going to be a gamble with unacceptably long odds.

The New York Times - Books

But six years is still unacceptably long and it is still unclear how many people's DNA will be kept indefinitely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Passport queues at Heathrow have been "unacceptably long" during peak periods in the last few days, the airport operator has told Home Office ministers.

The Guardian - Business

Agapi Chouzouraki, a lawyer for the Greek Council for Refugees, points out that the waiting periods are unacceptably long even for this initial brief registration interview.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unacceptably long", ensure you provide context regarding what makes the duration unacceptable. Be specific about the consequences or the expected standards that are being violated.

Common error

Avoid using "unacceptably long" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "the wait was unacceptably long", specify the actual duration and why it's unacceptable: "The wait was 3 hours, unacceptably long for an emergency room visit where the standard is under an hour."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unacceptably long" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "long". It expresses a subjective judgment about the duration, indicating that it exceeds tolerable or permissible limits. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unacceptably long" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express disapproval of a duration exceeding tolerable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical accuracy. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts to highlight inefficiencies or failures to meet expected standards. When using the phrase, provide specific context about why the duration is unacceptable, and consider alternatives like "excessively prolonged" or "unduly extended" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively prolonged

Emphasizes the extension in time beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

unduly extended

Highlights that the length is inappropriately or unjustifiably stretched out.

inordinately lengthy

Suggests a length that is far greater than what is customary or suitable.

unreasonably protracted

Focuses on the unfair or unwarranted continuation of something over time.

intolerably extended

Conveys that the duration is so long it can no longer be endured or tolerated.

prohibitively time-consuming

Highlights the deterrent effect of the extensive time required.

undesirably lengthy

Simply states that the length is not wanted or appreciated.

excessive waiting period

Specifically applies to waiting times that are beyond acceptable limits.

overly time-intensive

Emphasizes the high amount of time required, which is deemed too much.

impractical duration

Indicates that the length of time makes something unfeasible or unrealistic.

FAQs

How can I use "unacceptably long" in a sentence?

Use "unacceptably long" to describe a duration that exceeds tolerable limits. For example: "The "delay was unacceptably long"", or "Waiting times are "unacceptably long for patients"".

What are some alternatives to "unacceptably long"?

You can use alternatives such as "excessively prolonged", "unduly extended", or "inordinately lengthy" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "unacceptably long"?

It's appropriate when referring to a duration that is beyond reasonable or agreed-upon standards. Provide context to clarify why the duration is considered unacceptable, like "The "response time was unacceptably long" for a life-threatening emergency".

What makes "unacceptably long" different from "very long"?

"Very long" simply indicates a great length of time, while "unacceptably long" implies that the length of time is problematic and violates some implicit or explicit standard. It suggests a negative consequence or deviation from expected norms.