Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I've long understood
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
I've long understood that I'll never procreate in a typical heterosexual relationship, but the sense of being "incomplete" because you're unable to procreate in the usual way is something a lot of patients talk about.
News & Media
As editor-in-chief of Zillow, a mobile and online real estate marketplace whose foundation was built on Zestimate home values, I've long understood that the web is where it's all happening for networking and a kind of limitless democratization of all kinds of mediums and industries.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
I have long understood that I am a tiny, powerless cog in the wheel of modern America, plus I'm not a hacker, so what do I even know about keeping things hidden?
News & Media
I have long understood Israel's quest for peace and need for security, but never more so than during the travels that Lee referred to two years ago when I went to Israel.
News & Media
The commentators almost universally have taken Intel's side, but the facts we've long understood are dead set against.
News & Media
These disciplines have long understood that accounting for individual differences is central to understand the stimulus for change, i.e. 'know thy customer' [ 30].
Most agricultural scientists have long understood this.
News & Media
Some companies have long understood this.
News & Media
Disney has long understood this principle.
News & Media
However, Lingard has long understood the art of waiting.
News & Media
Ms Suu Kyi has long understood that this was a toxic document.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
This phrase works exceptionally well at the beginning of an essay or opinion piece to ground your argument in personal history.
Common error
Avoid using the base form of the verb, such as 'I've long understand'. Always ensure you use the past participle 'understood' to satisfy the requirements of the present perfect tense.
Source & Trust
96%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "I've long understood" functions as a present perfect declarative statement modified by the adverb 'long'. In Ludwig, this structure is frequently seen as a way to link past cognitive states with present assertions, providing a narrative bridge that emphasizes the durability of a realization.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Academia
30%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Science
5%
Social Media
3%
Wiki
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "I've long understood" is a robust and sophisticated phrase used to articulate established realizations. While the specific contraction appears less frequently in the Ludwig database than the full version, the underlying grammatical structure is highly prevalent across elite publications. It is an excellent choice for writers who wish to project authority and demonstrate that their current conclusions are the product of enduring reflection. Whether used in a personal essay or a journalistic opinion piece, it serves as a powerful tool for establishing intellectual context.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
I have long realized
Focuses on the moment of discovery or the process of coming to know something.
I have always known
Suggests the knowledge has been present for a lifetime rather than a specific 'long' duration.
It has long been clear to me
Uses a more formal, objective construction to distance the speaker slightly.
I have long been aware
Emphasizes awareness or consciousness of a fact rather than deep comprehension.
I have long recognized
Implies formal acknowledgment or identifying a specific truth over time.
For a long time, I have understood
Rearranges the sentence to place heavy emphasis on the duration.
I have held the view for a long time
More explicit about the duration being tied to a specific opinion or stance.
I have long perceived
Introduces a nuance of personal interpretation or sensory observation.
I have long gathered
Suggests the understanding was pieced together from various inferences over time.
I have long suspected
Indicates the knowledge is based on intuition or incomplete evidence rather than full understanding.
FAQs
How do I use "I've long understood" in a sentence?
You can use it to introduce a deeply held belief, for example: ""I've long understood" that true success requires more than just hard work."
What can I say instead of "I've long understood"?
You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/I+have+long+realized" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I have long realized" or "<a href="/s/I+have+always+known" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I have always known" depending on how long you've held the belief.
Is "I've long understood" formal enough for an essay?
Yes, though in very formal academic writing, you might prefer the uncontracted version "<a href="/s/I+have+long+understood" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I have long understood" to maintain a professional tone.
What is the difference between "I've long understood" and "I just understood"?
The phrase "I've long understood" refers to knowledge held over a significant period, whereas "<a href="/s/I+just+understood" target="_blank" rel="alternative">I just understood" implies a very recent moment of clarity or epiphany.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
96%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested