Lengthy In A Sentence

Mastering the Art of "Lengthy" in a Sentence: A Comprehensive Guide

The seemingly simple word "lengthy" often trips up writers. While its meaning – excessively long – seems straightforward, employing it effectively requires a nuanced understanding of context, style, and alternatives. A poorly placed "lengthy" can lead to clunky prose, while a well-placed one enhances clarity and precision. This article dives deep into the complexities of using "lengthy" in a sentence, offering guidance to improve your writing's impact.

1. Understanding the Nuances of "Lengthy": Beyond Simple Length

"Lengthy" doesn't solely refer to physical dimensions. While it can describe the physical length of an object ("a lengthy rope"), its most common application is in describing duration or extent. This requires careful consideration of what is being described as "lengthy." For instance, a "lengthy meeting" implies a meeting that exceeded a reasonable duration, causing potential frustration or inefficiency. The perception of "lengthy" is subjective and depends on the context. A three-hour hike might be considered lengthy for a casual walker but perfectly reasonable for an experienced hiker. This subjectivity necessitates clear contextual cues to avoid ambiguity.

Consider these examples:

Ambiguous: The process was lengthy. (What process? How long was it? Why is the length significant?)
Clear: The bureaucratic process of obtaining the permit was lengthy, taking over six weeks to complete, significantly delaying the project. (Clearly identifies the process, duration, and consequence.)

2. Strategic Placement and Sentence Structure

The placement of "lengthy" within a sentence profoundly affects its impact. Avoid simply tacking it onto the end as an afterthought. Instead, integrate it organically into the sentence's structure to emphasize its relevance.

Stronger placement options include:

Before the noun: "The lengthy negotiations finally concluded." This emphasizes the extended nature of the negotiations.
After the noun and a linking verb: "The report was lengthy and detailed." This provides additional description of the report.
As part of a participial phrase: "Having endured a lengthy interrogation, the suspect finally confessed." This highlights the interrogation's duration as a contributing factor to the confession.

Avoid clunky constructions like: "The meeting, it was lengthy." Instead opt for concise phrasing such as: "The meeting was lengthy." Remember, conciseness is often preferred to verbose descriptions.

3. Synonyms and Alternatives to "Lengthy"

Overuse of any word can lead to monotony. Consider employing synonyms or alternative phrasing to enhance vocabulary and avoid repetition. Here are some options depending on the context:

Duration: protracted, extended, prolonged, prolonged, drawn-out, time-consuming, extensive.
Physical length: long, extended, expansive.
Verbose: rambling, verbose, wordy.

For instance, instead of "The lecture was lengthy," you could use: "The lecture was protracted," "The lecture dragged on," or "The lecture was excessively long." The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey – boredom, frustration, or simply excessive duration.

4. Context is King: Tailoring "Lengthy" to Your Audience

The appropriateness of "lengthy" depends heavily on your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In formal writing, it might be perfectly acceptable. However, in informal contexts, a more casual synonym might be more suitable.

For example, in a formal report: "The lengthy analysis revealed significant inconsistencies."

In a casual conversation: "That movie was a real drag, it was so long!"

5. Avoiding Ambiguity and Maintaining Clarity

The primary pitfall when using "lengthy" is ambiguity. Always provide enough context to clarify what is lengthy and why its length is significant. Avoid vague sentences that leave the reader guessing.

For example, instead of: "The procedure was lengthy," try: "The surgical procedure was lengthy, requiring over four hours of delicate work." This clarifies the subject and provides context for the lengthy duration.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of "lengthy" involves understanding its nuances, strategically placing it within sentences, and being mindful of context and alternatives. By focusing on clarity, precision, and audience appropriateness, you can effectively integrate this word into your writing, enhancing its impact and avoiding ambiguity. Remember, strong writing prioritizes clarity and precision above all else.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is "lengthy" always a negative word? Not necessarily. While often implying inconvenience or tediousness, it can simply describe duration without inherent negative connotation. The context dictates the implication.

2. Can "lengthy" be used to describe physical objects? Yes, though less frequently than describing duration. It emphasizes the object's unusual or unexpected length.

3. What's the difference between "lengthy" and "long"? "Long" is a general term for extended duration or physical length. "Lengthy" implies excessive length, often exceeding expectations or causing some inconvenience.

4. Are there any situations where "lengthy" is inappropriate? Yes, in overly informal writing or when a more precise and vivid alternative is available. In such cases, synonyms or alternative phrasing will often be more effective.

5. How can I improve my sentences using "lengthy"? Focus on providing sufficient context, using strong sentence structure, and considering the impact of word placement. Avoid ambiguity and choose the most appropriate word based on your audience and context.

Search Results:

a lengthy | English examples in context | Ludwig High quality example sentences with “a lengthy” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write better in English

Use lengthy in a sentence | The best 200 lengthy sentence … How to use lengthy in a sentence. Example sentences with the word lengthy. The most voted sentence example for lengthy is Lengthy planning and re-planning t...

Use "Lengthy" in a sentence | "Lengthy" sentence examples 30 Jul 2019 · Here are some tips on how to effectively use the word "lengthy" in sentences: 1. Describing Time: - "The meeting was lengthy, lasting well into the evening." - "The court case has been going on for a lengthy period of time." - "The professor gave a …

Lengthy in a sentence (esp. good sentence like quote, proverb...) 272+13 sentence examples: 1. Knight has a lengthy criminal history and is currently being detained in a California prison. 2. Sunrise Medical said in a lengthy report on the probe, which began in late October. 3. A lengthy public inquiry ensued in 19

Bob Menendez Is Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison - The New … 29 Jan 2025 · Daibes received a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of $1.75 million. Mr. Hana was sentenced to slightly more than eight years in prison and fined $1.3 million.

Lengthy in a Sentence | Sentence Stack Describing something that is unusually long, especially in terms of time, to the point of being boring or tiresome. Both cases resulted in lengthy legal battles that outlasted the administration they served. Tom and I used to have lengthy discussions about that over the years.

LENGTHY SENTENCE collocation | meaning and examples of use Examples of LENGTHY SENTENCE in a sentence, how to use it. 13 examples: That is a cruel thing to happen to someone who is serving a life sentence or any other lengthy…

Examples of 'Lengthy' in a Sentence - Merriam-Webster 2 May 2024 · 'Lengthy' in a sentence: The process is both lengthy and costly.

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LENGTHY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary LENGTHY definition: of relatively great or tiresome extent or duration | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples

Lengthy in a Sentence Definition of Lengthy. long and overextended, especially in time. Examples of Lengthy in a sentence. The courts have to impose lengthy prison sentences whenever they deal with serious offences. After a lengthy break, Marino is back and is pretty much picking up where he left off.

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LENGTHY in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Lengthy “Lengthy” is an adjective that describes something that is extended or protracted in duration, distance, or size. One effective way to improve your example sentences and prevent them from becoming too lengthy is to focus on clarity and precision in your writing.

LENGTHY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary long He's been gone a long time. prolonged She returned to work after a prolonged illness. lengthy Airline passengers may face lengthy delays during holiday travel.

lengthy | English Definition & Examples | Ludwig Definition and high quality example sentences with “lengthy” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write better in English

Examples of "Lengthy" in a Sentence | YourDictionary.com Learn how to use "lengthy" in a sentence with 388 example sentences on YourDictionary.

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Lengthy in a sentence (esp. good sentence like quote, proverb...) Similar words: length, at length, lengthways, strength, strengthen, seeing that, living thing, challenge. Meaning: ['leŋθɪ] adj. relatively long in duration; tediously protracted. Random good picture Not show

Example sentences for lengthy Here you can find a large assortment of example sentences for the word lengthy, or in other words sentences that can help you learn how to use lengthy in a sentence.

Lengthy in a sentence (esp. good sentence like quote, proverb...) 24 Feb 2017 · Meaning: ['leŋθɪ] adj. relatively long in duration; tediously protracted. 1. His lengthy speeches always bore me to death. 2. Agreement was finally reached after very lengthy discussions. 3. Gates responds with a lengthy discourse on deployment strategy. 4. He was wont to give lengthy speeches. 5. A lengthy period of training is required. 6.

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Sentence examples with lengthy - collocations.diqt.one 208 examples of Lengthy in a sentence As a young woman, I was in a psychiatric hospital on three different occasions for lengthy periods. For example, it is counterintuitive to have an illiterate study participant, like Celine, sign a lengthy consent …

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Lengthy Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster The meaning of LENGTHY is protracted excessively : overlong. How to use lengthy in a sentence.