lengthened
lengthened — verb
- lengthenedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lengtheneds3rd person singular
- lengtheneding-ing form
- lengthenededpast simple
1. to increase the physical distance from one end of something to the other, either
to increase the physical distance from one end of something to the other, either by adding material or by natural growth or stretching.
The tailor lengthened the sleeves of Suki's winter coat by three inches.
transitive: lengthen + noun phrase (object)
As spring arrived, the days lengthened and the evenings grew noticeably warmer.
intransitive: natural process, no object
The airport lengthened its main runway so large passenger planes could land safely.
During her teenage years, Lucia's legs lengthened faster than the rest of her body.
The gardener lengthened the garden hose by attaching an extra section to it.
文法句型
lengthen + noun phrase (object)
lengthen (no object) — used for natural growth
用法筆記
Frequently used with an object describing the thing being made longer (e.g., the sleeves, the runway, the hose). When used without an object, the subject is typically something that grows or stretches naturally (e.g., days, shadows, hair).
常見錯誤
2. to cause a process, event, or period to continue beyond its original expected en
to cause a process, event, or period to continue beyond its original expected endpoint, or to become longer in time.
The manager lengthened the staff meeting by forty minutes to discuss the budget cuts.
transitive: lengthen + noun phrase (object)
Doctors lengthened Fatima's hospital stay after the surgery caused unexpected complications.
As the argument continued, the awkward silences between them lengthened uncomfortably.
The university lengthened the final exam period from two weeks to three weeks this year.
With the storm still raging outside, the wait for rescue seemed to lengthen with every hour.
文法句型
lengthen + noun phrase (object)
lengthen (no object) — used for events continuing
用法筆記
The object of this sense is always a period of time, an event, or a process (e.g., a meeting, a stay, a wait, the exam period). The intransitive use often conveys a feeling of time passing more slowly than expected.
常見錯誤
lengthened — adjective
- lengthenedpositive
- more lengthenedcomparative
- most lengthenedsuperlative
1. describes something that has been made longer than its usual physical size, or h
describes something that has been made longer than its usual physical size, or has grown longer over time.
The lengthened shadows of the oak trees stretched across the field at sunset.
describes shadows at a specific time of day
Vikram wore a coat with lengthened sleeves that covered his hands in the cold weather.
The lengthened skirt followed the new fashion trend that autumn and reached below the knee.
Drivers slowed down when they reached the lengthened construction zone on the highway.
The lengthened dining table could now seat all fourteen guests comfortably for the holiday dinner.
用法筆記
This adjective form is used before nouns to describe physical objects that have been made longer. Do not confuse with 'long,' which describes a permanent quality — 'lengthened' implies a change from a previous, shorter state.
2. describes a period, event, or situation that continues for more time than usual
describes a period, event, or situation that continues for more time than usual or expected.
The lengthened school day gave students extra time for music lessons and sports practice.
describes an extended schedule
Workers complained about the lengthened shifts during the busy holiday shopping season.
The lengthened warranty on the new laptop covered repairs for five years instead of two.
After the lengthened flight delay, passengers received meal vouchers and hotel rooms.
The lengthened visa process forced many families to postpone their travel plans by months.
- shortened
having been reduced in time
- abbreviated
shortened, often used for formal periods or documents