a long-sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long-sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been desired or pursued for a long time. Example: "After years of research, the scientists finally discovered a long-sought cure for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Also, a long-sought basketball arena was built on campus.

The New York Times

Second, energy independence is a long-sought national goal.

The New York Times

Regulation of gene expression represents a long-sought goal of gene therapy.

Molecular Therapy

Integrating sound assessment and instruction has been a long-sought goal in education.

International Encyclopedia of Education

Creating materials with strength and toughness has been a long-sought goal.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

For these countries, entering "Europe" was a long-sought goal and finally a celebrated achievement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

In those shells, the scientists detected a long-sought-after anomaly recorded in the language of oxygen atoms.

The Washington Post

Within the next two seasons, Casey will probably receive a long-sought-after job as a head coach.

The New York Times - Sports

A long-sought-after yet undiscovered material is a semiconducting compound with rare-earth cations situated inside the oversized polyhedral cages of a three-dimensional framework.

Chem

The alternative to an acquisition for Basis would be a long-sought-after C round of funding, say those people.

TechCrunch

They're not some cool prototype like the HyperAdapt that point to a shoe company finally realizing a long sought-after feature.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long-sought" to add a sense of history and importance to the thing being described. It emphasizes the effort and time invested in achieving or obtaining it.

Common error

Avoid using "a long-sought" for things that have only recently become desirable. The phrase implies a sustained period of pursuit or desire, not just a fleeting interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long-sought" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (often a goal, solution, or object) that has been the object of prolonged pursuit or desire. As noted by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "a long-sought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to describe something that has been pursued or desired for a significant period. It commonly appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, to highlight the importance and effort associated with achieving a particular goal or obtaining a specific object. The phrase generally maintains a neutral to formal tone and is considered suitable for professional communication, with a preference for the hyphenated form in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long-desired

Replaces "sought" with "desired", emphasizing the wish for something over the active pursuit.

a long-awaited

Focuses on the aspect of waiting, suggesting anticipation for something to happen or arrive.

a much-sought-after

Emphasizes the high demand or desirability of something.

a long-term goal

Shifts the focus to a goal that requires extended effort and time to achieve.

a cherished ambition

Highlights the personal value and emotional investment in a particular goal or desire.

a hard-won

Highlights the difficulty of winning something but doesn't necessarily imply a prolonged pursuit.

a prized possession

Emphasizes the value and ownership of something, rather than the pursuit.

a coveted object

Implies a strong desire from multiple parties to attain something.

a protracted quest

Emphasizes the length and arduous nature of the search or pursuit.

a perennial dream

Focuses on something that remains a consistent and enduring aspiration.

FAQs

How can I use "a long-sought" in a sentence?

You can use "a long-sought" to describe goals, solutions, or objects that have been pursued for a significant period of time. For instance, "The treaty represents "a long-sought peace"" or "Researchers have finally discovered "a long-sought cure" for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "a long-sought"?

Alternatives include "a long-desired", "a long-awaited", or "a much-sought-after", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a long sought after" instead of "a long-sought"?

While "a long sought after" can be used, "a long-sought" is more concise and often preferred. The hyphenated form is generally considered more formal and polished. Using "a long sought after" is more verbose but acceptable.

What's the difference between "a long-sought goal" and "a long-term goal"?

"A long-sought goal" emphasizes the persistent effort and desire involved in pursuing something. "A long-term goal", on the other hand, simply refers to a goal that is planned to be achieved over a lengthy period, without necessarily implying an arduous pursuit. Both concepts differ in conveying meaning.