At long last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At long last" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express relief or satisfaction that something has finally happened after a long wait. Example: "At long last, the long-awaited sequel to the popular novel has been released."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At long last, style!

The New York Times

At long last.

The New York Times - Arts

At long last I was renouncing chance".

The New Yorker

At long last, a person of leisure?

The New York Times - Books

At long last the Hasids stopped potchkying.

The New York Times

At long last, there is an answer.

Independent

At long last, the taunting had stopped.

The Guardian - Film

At long last, deliverance.

The New York Times

At long last: needlepoint inspired by Kurt Vonnegut.

The New Yorker

"At long last," he said.

The New York Times

At long last, Dre delivered.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "At long last" to express relief or satisfaction that something has finally happened, particularly after a prolonged wait or difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "At long last" too frequently in your writing as it can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "finally" or "eventually" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At long last" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or culmination of an event. It expresses that something has occurred after a considerable delay, effort, or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable presence in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"At long last" is a phrase used to express relief or satisfaction that something has finally occurred after a considerable delay. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves as an adverbial phrase to modify the timing of events, conveying a sense of culmination or triumph. While generally neutral, it carries a slightly formal tone. Alternatives like "finally" and "eventually" offer simpler ways to express a similar sentiment. Ensure varied language by avoiding overuse of the phrase. Its effectiveness lies in emphasizing the prolonged wait before the satisfying resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At last

Nearly identical in meaning, providing a slight variation in phrasing.

Finally

This is a more concise and direct way to express that something has happened after a period of waiting.

The long-awaited moment

Highlights the arrival of an event that has been eagerly anticipated for a long time.

After a long wait

Explicitly mentions the duration of waiting before the event occurred.

After much delay

Stresses that something has happened after a considerable delay.

Eventually

Implies that something occurred at a later time than initially expected.

The time has come

Emphasizes that the moment for something to happen has arrived after anticipation.

In the end

Focuses on the ultimate outcome or resolution after a process or period.

Ultimately

Highlights the final result or consequence after a series of events or considerations.

In due time

Suggests that something happened when it was meant to, possibly after some delay.

FAQs

How can I use "At long last" in a sentence?

Use "At long last" to express relief or satisfaction that something has finally happened after a significant wait. For example, "At long last, the construction on our street is finished."

What phrases are similar to "At long last"?

You can use alternatives such as "finally", "eventually", or "at last" depending on the context.

Is "At long last" formal or informal?

"At long last" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may lean slightly towards formal due to its somewhat literary tone.

What is the difference between "At long last" and "Finally"?

"At long last" emphasizes a prolonged wait or anticipation before something occurs, while "finally" simply indicates that something has happened after a period of time, without necessarily implying a long delay.