它强调内容的细致程度和时间/篇幅的长度,有时隐含“(因过长而)略显冗长”的意味(取决于语境)。
该短语是方式状语,通常修饰表示“讲述、解释、讨论、描述”等的动词,说明动作的“详细程度”。以下是具体场景和搭配:
常与以下动词连用(动词 + 宾语 + at great length / at great length + 动词短语):
talk about/of(谈论):My dad talks about his college days at great length.(我爸爸总长篇大论地讲他的大学时光。)
explain(解释):The teacher explained the math problem at great length.(老师非常详细地讲解了这道数学题。)
discuss(讨论):We discussed the budget at great length before finalizing it.(我们详细讨论了预算后才定稿。)
describe(描述):The witness described the suspect at great length to the police.(证人向警方详尽描述了嫌疑人。)
go into(深入探讨):She went into her research findings at great length.(她深入详细地阐述了自己的研究结果。)
通常置于句末或动词短语之后(更自然):
He told us about his travels at great length.(他详尽地给我们讲了他的旅行经历。)
偶尔置于句首(强调“详细”的程度,但较少见):
At great length, she recounted her childhood memories.(她极为详细地回忆了童年往事。)
中性/正面:当话题是说话者感兴趣或需要细致说明的内容时,强调“详尽、全面”:
The report analyzes the economic crisis at great length.(这份报告详细分析了经济危机。)
负面(隐含不耐烦):当内容过长或无关紧要时,可能带有“啰嗦、冗长”的暗示:
I don’t want to hear about your weekend at great length—just tell me the highlights!(我不想听你长篇大论讲周末——直接说重点!)
同义词:in great detail(详细地)、at length(详细地,程度稍轻)、extensively(广泛地)、thoroughly(彻底地)。
反义词:briefly(简要地)、in short(简言之)、concisely(简洁地)。
1、 The author describes the protagonist’s inner world at great length in the novel.(作者在小说中详尽描述了主角的内心世界。)
2、 We debated the issue at great length but couldn’t reach an agreement.(我们详细辩论了这个问题,但未能达成一致。)
3、 Stop talking at great length—we need to make a decision now!(别再长篇大论了——我们现在得做决定!)
总结:at great length 是表达“详细程度”的高频短语,核心是“细致且长”,使用时需结合语境判断情感色彩(中性/负面),常与“讲述、解释、讨论”类动词搭配。