a long time now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long time now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed up to the present moment. Example: "I've been waiting for a long time now for the results of my application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

People have been doing that for a long time now.

The New York Times

I've been part of it for a long time now.

The New York Times - Sports

That's held true for a long time now".

The New York Times - Sports

"They have been using it for a long time now.

The New York Times - Health

People go on a long time now, don't they?

The Guardian - Film

But he has been dead a long time now.

The Guardian - Arts

His retirement has been coming for a long time now.

The Guardian - Sport

He has sat in chairs for a long time now.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This strike's been going on quite a long time now.

The Guardian - Arts

You've been DJing for a long time now.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's been her routine for a long time now.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long time now", ensure the context clearly establishes what event or state has been ongoing. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a long time now" when referring to events that concluded in the distant past and have no current relevance. The 'now' implies a connection to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long time now" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration of an action or state. It specifies that something has been ongoing for an extended period up to the present moment. As Ludwig confirms, the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long time now" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote that something has been ongoing for an extended duration up to the present. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, most notably in news and media, but also in scientific discourse. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly defines the ongoing action or situation. While generally neutral, the sentiment can be influenced by the surrounding context. Alternative expressions like "for many years now" or "for quite some time now" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for many years now

Emphasizes the length of time by specifying it in years.

for a considerable period now

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a significant duration.

for quite some time now

Adds a touch of understatement to the length of the duration.

for ages now

Offers a more informal and emphatic way to express a long duration.

for years and years now

Repeats "years" for emphasis on the extended duration.

for what seems like forever

Expresses the duration in a subjective, exaggerated way.

since time immemorial

Indicates a duration so long it's beyond memory or record.

for as long as I can remember

Relates the duration to the speaker's personal memory.

from the beginning

Highlights the start of the event. It can be used when you want to specify that something has been going on for a long time now since the very beginning.

for a good while now

Uses the adjective "good" to express a significant duration. It is more colloquial.

FAQs

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

Use "a long time now" to indicate that an action or situation has been ongoing for a significant period up to the present. For example, "I've been waiting for "a long time now"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a long time now"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "for many years now", "for quite some time now", or "for ages now".

Is it more appropriate to use "a long time ago" or "a long time now"?

"A long time ago" refers to something that happened in the past and is finished, while "a long time now" refers to something that started in the past and continues to the present. The correct choice depends on whether the action is ongoing or completed.

Does "a long time now" imply a positive or negative sentiment?

The phrase itself is neutral. The sentiment depends on the context in which it's used. For instance, "We've been working on this project for "a long time now", and it's finally nearing completion" could be positive, while "I've been feeling unwell for "a long time now", and it's affecting my daily life" is negative.