unnecessary length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unnecessary length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is longer than needed or required, often in the context of writing or explanations. Example: "The report was filled with unnecessary length, making it difficult to extract the key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He thus kept his valuable vessel for an unnecessary length of time in the area where she was most liable to attack, inviting disaster".

The New Yorker

Mr. Vise's account of Mr. Hanssen's road to becoming a double agent is fascinating, sometimes gripping, but it is marred by his decision to dwell at unnecessary length on Mr. Hanssen's sexual pecadilloes.

The New York Times - Books

This sour assessment of the McCullers marriage does not keep Ms. Savigneau from quoting pages and pages of tedious correspondence exchanged by the couple during World War II, or from going on, at dreary and unnecessary length, about their ongoing spats and reconciliations and drunken high jinks.

The New York Times - Books

(I've written, at wholly unnecessary length, about TPB in the past, and my opinion on it can be summed up like this: it's time for it to go away).

TechCrunch

(In Cohen's hands, this historical orientation contributes in no small part to other aspects of his writing that none of his readers can fail to notice: its obscurity, repetition, and sometimes unnecessary length).

SEP

With characters like her, even unnecessary length is easily forgiven.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

And there's Americana in a nutshell: beloved songs from America's past, be they folk, blues or pop songs, such as the Silhouette's 1958 No 1 Get a Job, put through the mangle of Young's overdriven guitar and stretched to unnecessary lengths.

The Guardian - Music

It's easy to laugh at Day-Lewis, the public-school-educated son of a poet laureate who's obsessed with carpentry, always speaks in someone else's accent, once dumped a pregnant girlfriend by fax, and takes method acting to bizarre and unnecessary lengths.

Vice

However, I think the authors do a disservice to their own good idea by heavily overloading the hypothesis with (at best) tangentially relevant arguments that they counter-productively attempt to present in a formal Popperian setting (I suppose, at least, in part, this approach is borrowed from Wächtershäuser but here it is taken to much greater and entirely unnecessary lengths).

Biology Direct

As such, it is not infrequently seen that these patients are either initially misdiagnosed or ineffectively managed resulting in unnecessary hospital length of stay and procedures.

BioMed Research International

Following these sequential trials we carried out a similar experiment with the same individuals, but where sequential tool use was unnecessary (termed 'Length-Only' trials).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When editing, identify and remove any sections contributing to "unnecessary length". Ensure each sentence and paragraph serves a clear purpose.

Common error

Avoid adding details that are already understood by your audience. Providing too much background information can lead to "unnecessary length" and bore readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unnecessary length" functions as a noun phrase, where "unnecessary" modifies the noun "length". It describes the quality of being longer than what is required or useful. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unnecessary length" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is longer than needed. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and online wikis. When aiming for clear and effective communication, it is crucial to avoid "unnecessary length" by ensuring that all information presented is relevant and concise. To express this concept differently, alternatives like "superfluous length" or "excessive length" can be considered. Prioritizing brevity enhances readability and prevents reader disengagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superfluous length

Replaces "unnecessary" with "superfluous", emphasizing the excessiveness.

excessive length

Substitutes "unnecessary" with "excessive", highlighting that the length goes beyond what is needed.

undue length

Uses "undue" instead of "unnecessary", suggesting the length is inappropriate or unwarranted.

gratuitous length

Emphasizes that the length is uncalled for and without justification.

needless length

Replaces "unnecessary" with "needless", indicating the length serves no purpose.

unwarranted length

Highlights that the length is not justified or deserved.

unessential length

Suggests the length is not vital or crucial.

inordinate length

Indicates that the length is beyond what is reasonable or normal.

surplus length

Focuses on the amount of length that is extra or over and above what's required.

excess baggage

Metaphorically describes the length as unnecessary and burdensome.

FAQs

How can I avoid "unnecessary length" in my writing?

Focus on clarity and conciseness. Before writing, outline your main points and stick to them. Remove any information that doesn't directly support your argument or purpose.

What are some alternatives to "unnecessary length"?

You can use alternatives like "superfluous length", "excessive length", or "undue length" depending on the context.

Is it always bad to have "unnecessary length"?

While conciseness is generally valued, sometimes a longer explanation is necessary for complex topics. However, always aim to eliminate any length that doesn't add value or clarity.

How does "unnecessary length" affect the reader?

"Unnecessary length" can confuse or bore the reader, making it harder for them to grasp the main points. It can also make your writing seem less credible and professional.