So long

USAGE SUMMARY

"so long" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used as a farewell or in situations where you are saying goodbye or departing from someone. Example sentence: Thanks for the discussion, it was great catching up with you. So long!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So long.

The New York Times

So long, big stages.

The New York Times - Arts

So long Edie.

The New York Times

So long old friend.

The New York Times

So long, tepee.

The New York Times

So long, phone.

The New York Times - Tech

So long, everybody.

The New Yorker

So long, star dancers.

The New York Times - Arts

(So long, drumming career).

The New Yorker

So long, Lou.

The New Yorker

So long, Bambino.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "So long" to add a touch of vintage charm or a casual tone to your farewells. It is more unique than a simple 'goodbye' but less formal than 'farewell'.

Common error

Avoid using "So long" in highly formal or professional settings, as it may sound out of place. Opt for a more standard farewell like 'goodbye' or 'farewell' in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "So long" functions primarily as an interjection, specifically to express farewell. It is used to signal departure or the end of a conversation. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts to indicate leave-taking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "So long" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interjection to express farewell. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds a casual or slightly vintage feel to your goodbyes. While predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its informal register makes it suitable for everyday conversations. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "goodbye" or "farewell".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bye

A short and extremely common farewell.

Goodbye

A standard and versatile farewell.

Farewell

A more formal and literary farewell.

See you later

An informal farewell implying a future meeting.

See you soon

Similar to 'see you later' but implies the meeting will be shortly.

Take care

A caring farewell, wishing the person well.

Adieu

A French-derived farewell, more dramatic or final.

Have a good one

A casual farewell wishing the person a good day.

Catch you later

An informal farewell, common in American English.

Cheerio

A British English farewell, somewhat old-fashioned.

FAQs

How to use "So long" in a sentence?

"So long" is typically used as a farewell, often at the end of a conversation or when departing. For example: "It was great seeing you, so long!"

What can I say instead of "So long"?

You can use alternatives like "goodbye", "farewell", "see you later", or "bye" depending on the context and formality.

Is "So long" formal or informal?

"So long" is generally considered informal. It's suitable for casual conversations but might not be appropriate in formal or professional settings.

Where does the phrase "So long" come from?

The origin of "So long" is debated, but it's been used as a farewell since the 19th century. Some theories suggest it's a corruption of phrases from other languages, while others propose it's simply a shortened version of wishing someone a 'long' time until the next meeting.