what is the length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is the length" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when asking for the measurement or extent of something. Example: "Can you tell me what is the length of the table?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

What is the length of day at the equator?

Cornell University

What is the length of time to complete the MS program?

Cornell University

That means what is the length of this projection of A to the given direction?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What is the length of time to complete the PhD program?

Cornell University

For example, what is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides 6033 and 8044?

The New York Times

The ratio of the length of string remaining to the total length cut off is 1 : 3. What is the length of the remaining string? A. 5 m B. 7 m C. 10 m D. 14 m 2. The areas of the faces of a rectangular box are 84 cm2, 70 cm2 and 30 cm2.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The research questions of this study are; √ What were the differences between first and third-year students' perceptions with respect to self-study and reporting processes of PBL? √ What were the length of students' self-study times and their usage of learning resources?

BMC Medical Education

What are the length requirements?

WikiHow

What are the lengths of these paths?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What is the total length of wool, in centimetres, that Shania has? 87cm Convert all of the lengths of wool to centimetres, then add the lengths together.

The Guardian

What is the general length of treatment?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about physical dimensions, be specific about the units of measurement you expect in the answer (e.g., inches, meters, miles).

Common error

Avoid using "length" when you actually mean "duration". "Length" typically refers to spatial measurements, while "duration" refers to time. For instance, ask about the duration of a movie, not the length of a movie.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is the length" serves as an interrogative phrase used to solicit information about the measurement, extent, or duration of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is the length" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase to inquire about measurements, extents, or durations. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its versatility, showing usage across academic, news, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to distinguish between "length" (spatial) and "duration" (temporal) for precise communication. Related phrases offer alternative ways to phrase the request, and practical writing guidance helps to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how long is it

Uses a more direct question structure focusing on the duration or measurement.

what is its duration

Replaces "length" with "duration", focusing on the temporal aspect.

what is the measurement

Substitutes "length" with "measurement", emphasizing the quantitative aspect.

what is the extent of

Uses "extent" instead of "length", focusing on the scope or range.

what is the size

Replaces "length" with "size", appropriate when referring to physical dimensions.

how far does it extend

Focuses on the distance something reaches, using a different verb structure.

what are the dimensions

Asks for multiple measurements, including length, width, and height.

what is the range

Emphasizes the span or scope rather than a specific linear measurement.

what is the distance

Specifically asks about the space between two points.

what period does it cover

Asks about the time covered, for cases when length refers to duration.

FAQs

How do I use "what is the length" in a sentence?

You can use "what is the length" to inquire about the measurement of something, for example: "What is the length of the Nile River?" or "What is the length of this table"?.

What can I say instead of "what is the length"?

You can use alternatives like "how long is it", "what is its duration", or "what is the measurement" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what is the length" or "how long is it"?

Both "what is the length" and "how long is it" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context; "what is the length" is slightly more formal.

When should I use "what is the duration" instead of "what is the length"?

Use "what is the duration" when referring to a period of time. For example, ask about the duration of a movie, meeting or phone call. "What is the length" is generally used to measure physical objects.