As long as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As long as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a condition or requirement that must be met for something to happen or be true. Example: "You can borrow my car as long as you return it by tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meditate for as long as want.

WikiHow

"As long as it changed.

The New York Times - Sports

As long as it sticks.

The New Yorker

"As long as it takes," she said.

The New York Times

As long as it includes oysters.

The New York Times

As long as it wins on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

As long as people pronounce it correctly".

Independent

As long as some people like it".

The New York Times

As long as we both know".

The Guardian - Sport

As long as things are going well.

The New York Times

As long as the hits keep coming.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "As long as", ensure the condition is clearly stated and directly related to the outcome you are describing. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using incorrect verb tenses in either the condition or the main clause when using "As long as". Make sure that the tenses in both clauses logically connect and accurately represent the intended timing and relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As long as" functions as a conjunction, specifically introducing a conditional clause. It sets a requirement or condition that must be satisfied for the main clause to be true. Ludwig AI confirms its role in establishing a dependency between two events or states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

33%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "As long as" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to express a condition or stipulation. Ludwig AI confirms that it introduces a conditional clause, setting a requirement for the main clause to be true. Its usage is common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure tense agreement and clarity in stating the condition. Alternatives like "provided that" and "so long as" can be used for variety. Remember to clearly state the condition and maintain correct tense usage for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

So long as

This is a slightly more archaic, yet perfectly acceptable, synonym.

Provided that

This alternative emphasizes the condition that must be met.

Only if

This alternative puts emphasis on the condition as the sole requirement.

On condition that

This phrase is more formal and highlights the specific terms required.

Subject to

This phrase emphasizes that the outcome is dependent on certain limitations.

Assuming that

This implies a hypothetical scenario upon which the outcome depends.

Conditional upon

This is a more formal alternative, often used in legal or official contexts.

Given that

This suggests that something is already known or accepted as true.

With the understanding that

This alternative highlights the mutual agreement or expectation of a condition.

If and only if

This is a more precise and formal way to express a necessary and sufficient condition.

FAQs

How can I use "As long as" in a sentence?

The phrase "As long as" introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen. For example, "You can go to the party "as long as" you finish your homework first".

What are some alternatives to "As long as"?

You can use alternatives like "provided that", "so long as", or "on condition that" to express a similar conditional meaning.

Is there a difference between "As long as" and "If"?

While both introduce conditions, "As long as" often implies a duration or a continuing condition, whereas "If" is more general. For instance, "You can stay "as long as" you want" suggests a time duration, but "If you want, you can stay" is a simple conditional statement.

Can "As long as" be used interchangeably with "While"?

In some contexts, "As long as" can be used to mean "While", indicating that something happens during a specific time. However, this usage is less common and can sometimes be ambiguous. It's better to use "While" for simultaneous actions and "As long as" for conditional statements.