Long done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to express that a particular task or situation has been completed for a long period of time and is no longer relevant. For example, "It's been long done - the project was finished months ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But voters have long done so.

The New York Times

He has long done it.

The New York Times - Sports

Dog-gate's long done, my dear!

The Guardian - Film

That, and extradite foreign dealers, as America has long done.

The Economist

Under the subtropical sky he forgave the things long done.

The New Yorker

But locals explained that they had long done it thus.

The New York Times - Books

Trump, we also know, has long done business with Russians.

The New Yorker

After all, the policymaking is long done; the next stage is the sales pitch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

How long do we have?

Independent

How long did she stay?

The New Yorker

HOW long did it take?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long done" to emphasize that something was completed a significant time ago and is no longer a current concern.

Common error

Avoid using "long done" when referring to tasks completed recently. The phrase specifically indicates completion in the distant past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long done" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an understood noun or pronoun. It signifies a state of completion that occurred a considerable time ago. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a grammatically sound phrase. For example, "Dog-gate's "long done", my dear!"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long done" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that something has been completed a significant time ago. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as in books, with a neutral to informal tone. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a task or event completed in the distant past, and consider more formal alternatives for highly formal contexts. Numerous authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, employ this phrase, underscoring its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long since finished

Emphasizes the finished state and the passage of time since completion.

completed long ago

Emphasizes the completion aspect and the extended period since then.

finished a long time ago

Similar to the original phrase, but with a slightly different word order and emphasis.

over and done with long ago

Adds a sense of finality and emphasizes that the matter is completely resolved.

concluded ages ago

More formal and highlights the completion or ending of something.

settled long before

Focuses on the resolution or agreement being reached in the distant past.

way back when it was completed

This variant is more informal and emphasizes the distance in time.

ancient history now

More figurative, suggesting that the event is so far in the past it's like history.

a thing of the past

Indicates that something no longer exists or is relevant.

relic of the past

This variant suggests that something is old-fashioned or outdated.

FAQs

How can I use "long done" in a sentence?

You can use "long done" to indicate that a task or event was completed a significant time ago. For example, "The project is "long done"; we finished it last year."

What are some alternatives to "long done"?

Alternatives include "completed long ago", "finished a long time ago", or "long since finished", each emphasizing the time elapsed since completion.

Is it appropriate to use "long done" in formal writing?

Yes, "long done" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider more formal alternatives like "concluded ages ago" for very formal settings.

What's the difference between "long done" and "recently completed"?

"Long done" implies completion in the distant past, whereas "recently completed" refers to something finished in the near past. The key difference is the time frame being emphasized.