unreasonable length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unreasonable length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively long or not justifiable in terms of its duration or extent. Example: "The report was criticized for its unreasonable length, making it difficult for readers to engage with the content."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Don't get tied to an agent for an unreasonable length of time.

The Guardian - Money

During Jan .most banks make allowances for customers' absentmindedness, but it ca be sued on the ground that an "unreasonable" length of tim has elapsed.

The New Yorker

He said none of the witnesses were taking an unreasonable length of time to reply but that once responses had been received the committee needed to evaluate them carefully.

The Guardian

Chilcot wrote: "Those involved in Maxwellisation process have engaged fully and I continue to judge that no one has taken an unreasonable length of time to respond given the range and complexity of the issues under consideration".

The Guardian

That tallies with an NHS-funded audit of the talking therapies programme last year by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which found that "a minority of patients still have unacceptably long waits" for assessment and starting therapy, and that one in three patients thought they were forced to wait an unreasonable length of time before having their first treatment.

The Guardian

In the case of Mr Suso Musa, the court found that his detention had been arbitrary and the authorities had taken an unreasonable length of time to decide whether to let him stay in Malta.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

What supply-siders have done is start with that reasonable idea and extrapolate it to unreasonable lengths.

The New Yorker

Naturally, Honda has crammed an impressive array of leading-edge features into the VFR package, including drive-by-wire throttle control, linked antilock brakes and a cleverly positioned shaft-drive system engineered to keep the wheelbase from growing to unreasonable lengths.

The New York Times

The Yorkshire Post also paid tribute to Sutcliffe and the way he handled himself, noting that while a conflict of opinion had been inevitable, it was "carried to unreasonable lengths".

Wikipedia

The court's three participating liberal members were Clement's most aggressive questioners, but far from broadly protesting S.B. 1070, they focused narrowly on the prospect that U.S. citizens could be detained under the "papers please" provision for unconstitutionally unreasonable lengths of time.

Huffington Post

Best-so-far values obtained by ISPRING are less than or equal to those done by ESUCR-DTW, yet ISPRING often returns best-so-far subsequences whose lengths are unreasonable.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by not pairing "unreasonable length" with words that already imply excessiveness, like "very" or "extremely". Instead, focus on the impact or consequences of the length.

Common error

A common mistake is failing to establish a clear benchmark for what a 'reasonable' length would be. To avoid this, provide context or comparison to help your audience understand why the current length is considered "unreasonable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unreasonable length" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It typically acts as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to something that has an excessively long duration or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unreasonable length" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that exceeds acceptable limits of duration or extent. Ludwig AI identifies it as an adjective + noun phrase primarily functioning to express criticism or disapproval. While its register is generally neutral, its usage carries more weight in professional or formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science" contexts. When using "unreasonable length", it's important to provide context or examples that clarify what constitutes a 'reasonable' length in the given situation, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive duration

Focuses on the duration being beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

undue length

Implies the length is inappropriate or unwarranted in a given situation.

inordinate period

Highlights that the time frame is excessive and exceeds normal expectations.

protracted duration

Emphasizes that the length of time is extended or prolonged.

unjustifiable length

Indicates that there is no good reason for the length to be as long as it is.

overly long time

Directly states that the duration is longer than necessary or desirable.

extended timeframe

Refers to a period that has been stretched out, possibly beyond what is reasonable.

unwarranted duration

Highlights that the length is not justified or deserved.

excessive time span

Emphasizes that the period is more than what is considered normal or acceptable.

gratuitously long

Implies the length is unnecessarily and excessively extended.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "unreasonable length" in a sentence?

You can use "unreasonable length" to describe durations or extents that are excessively long or not justifiable. For example, "The waiting time at the clinic was an "unreasonable length", causing many patients to leave."

What phrases can I use instead of "unreasonable length"?

Alternatives include "excessive duration", "undue length", or "inordinate period", depending on the context. Each conveys a sense of something being longer than what is considered acceptable or necessary.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "unreasonable length"?

It is appropriate when describing something that has exceeded acceptable limits of duration or extent. For instance, a contract with an "unreasonable length" might bind someone for far too long, or a document of "unreasonable length" could be unnecessarily verbose.

What distinguishes "unreasonable length" from "average length"?

"Unreasonable length" implies that something is longer than what is normally expected or justifiable, while "average length" refers to the typical or standard duration or extent. An "average length" is a neutral measure, whereas "unreasonable length" carries a negative connotation.