Long enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Long enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain duration or length of time has been sufficient or adequate for a particular purpose. Example: "I waited long enough for the bus before deciding to call a taxi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Long enough to wait.

The Guardian

"Long enough, huh?

Huffington Post

He lived long enough.

The Economist

Not long enough, though.

The New Yorker

That's long enough.

The New York Times

It's cooked long enough.

The New York Times

"We waited long enough.

The New York Times

Just long enough.

The New York Times

We had waited long enough".

The New York Times

My résumé's not long enough.

The New York Times

They've been practicing long enough".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long enough" when you want to express that a certain duration is adequate for a specific purpose or task. For instance, "Did you bake the cake long enough?" implies inquiring about whether the baking time was sufficient for the cake to be properly cooked.

Common error

Avoid using "long enough" when referring to an absolute measurement of length. For example, instead of saying "The rope isn't long enough", it's more accurate to use "The rope isn't long enough for the intended purpose". Always ensure the context of sufficiency is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long enough" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that a certain duration or length of time meets the required or expected standard. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long enough" is a versatile and common expression used to convey that a duration or length of time is sufficient for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is commonly found in news media, wikis, and scientific publications, and its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it to express sufficiency of duration and avoid using it for absolute measurements of length, always ensuring the context is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sufficiently long

This phrase is a more formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the adequacy of the duration.

Adequately long

Similar to 'sufficiently long', this alternative stresses that the duration meets the required standard.

A sufficient duration

Emphasizes the concept of 'duration' being adequate.

Enough time

This phrase uses an alternative phrasing structure, focusing on the availability of time.

More than enough time

Suggests that the duration not only meets the requirements, but exceeds them.

Long period

Focuses on the duration itself, without necessarily implying sufficiency for a specific purpose.

For quite some time

Highlights the extended nature of the duration.

A considerable time

Indicates that the duration was notable or significant.

An extended period

Indicates a duration that is longer than usual or expected.

A good while

An informal way to express that a significant amount of time has passed.

FAQs

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

You can use "long enough" to indicate that a duration or length of time is sufficient for a particular purpose, such as "Did you wait "long enough" before serving the tea?"

What are some alternatives to "long enough"?

Alternatives to "long enough" include "sufficiently long", "adequately long", or "enough time", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "enough long" instead of "long enough"?

No, the correct phrasing is "long enough". The adjective 'long' typically precedes 'enough' when indicating sufficient duration.

What's the difference between "long enough" and "too long"?

"Long enough" indicates that a duration is sufficient or adequate, while "too long" implies that a duration has exceeded the appropriate or desired limit.