a long time coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long time coming" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has taken a significant amount of time to happen or be achieved. Example: "The new policy was a long time coming, as many employees had been advocating for it for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That fight is a long time coming.

The New Yorker

It had been a long time coming.

The Economist

"This view was a long time coming".

The New York Times

SOME technologies seem a long time coming.

The Economist

They have been a long time coming.

The Economist

Implementation could be a long time coming.

The Economist

It's definitely a long time coming.

The New York Times - Sports

But Crimea was a long time coming.

The New Yorker

That could be a long time coming.

The Economist

Redemption was a long time coming, though.

The New York Times

IT HAS been a long time coming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long time coming" to emphasize the duration and anticipation surrounding an event or decision, creating a sense of resolution or culmination.

Common error

Avoid using "a long time coming" for ongoing processes or situations where the outcome is still uncertain. It implies a sense of completion or resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long time coming" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, often modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something has been delayed or anticipated for a considerable period. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long time coming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something has been anticipated or delayed for a significant period. As validated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse contexts, predominantly appearing in news and academic domains. Alternatives such as ""long overdue"" and ""years in the making"" offer nuanced variations in meaning. When using "a long time coming", ensure it aligns with the sense of resolution or culmination, avoiding its application to ongoing or uncertain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Long overdue

This alternative suggests that something should have happened sooner.

Expected for ages

This alternative emphasizes the prolonged anticipation of an event.

Awaited for years

This alternative highlights the lengthy period of waiting.

Years in the making

This alternative highlights the extensive time invested in creating or developing something.

Coming for quite some time

This alternative indicates that something has been developing over a considerable period.

In the works for ages

This suggests that something has been planned or prepared for a long time.

Slow in arriving

This alternative emphasizes the delayed arrival or occurrence of something.

Eventually materializing

This suggests that something is finally happening after a long period of anticipation.

Maturing over years

This implies that something has been developing slowly over an extended period.

Been brewing for ages

This suggests that something has been developing or intensifying gradually over a long time.

FAQs

How can I use "a long time coming" in a sentence?

Use "a long time coming" to express that something has been expected or delayed for a significant period. For example, "The new policy change was "a long time coming", as employees had been requesting it for years".

What are some alternatives to "a long time coming"?

Alternatives include "long overdue", "years in the making", or "eventually materializing", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a long time coming"?

It is appropriate to use "a long time coming" when referring to an event, decision, or change that has been anticipated or delayed for a considerable period, and has finally occurred.

What does "a long time coming" imply?

The phrase implies that the event or situation has been expected, desired, or even inevitable for an extended duration, and its occurrence provides a sense of resolution or culmination.