a more long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more long" is not correct in written English.
The correct form would be "a longer" when comparing lengths or durations. Example: "This is a longer route than the one we took yesterday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A more long term and brutal military strategy must therefore be applied".

The Economist

A cadre of institutional investors is calling for a transition to a more long term lens.

The Guardian

Some are meant to give us an intended end result, some are meant for a more long term outcome.

Huffington Post

Some families use the money to invest in livestock and farming, initiating a more long term recovery.

Unicef

*A Mentor is concerned with the development of a more long term relationship with a nurse that focuses on their professional development and growth.

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But some donors are prepared to take a more long-term view.

The Economist

"Shared laughter might be a pathway toward developing a more long-lasting relationship".

Independent

A more long-term and balanced approach would enable business to function more sustainably.

The Guardian

Osborne says he will put the royal finances on a more long-term footing.

The Guardian

But there may be a more long-term change coming in the types of people the N.F.L. employs as umpires.

The New York Times - Sports

Amos said that much more support was needed, with better co-ordination and a more long-term approach.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a more long". Instead, use "a longer" for correct comparative form. For example, say "This is a longer process" instead of "This is a more long process".

Common error

Don't mistakenly use "more" with adjectives that already have comparative forms (ending in -er). "Longer" is the correct comparative of "long", making "more long" redundant and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a more long" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, although grammatically flawed. It attempts to modify a noun by indicating a greater extent of length or duration. Ludwig indicates the phrase is not correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a more long" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is "a longer". As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase does not follow standard grammar rules. Although it appears in news, science, and business contexts, it's best to avoid it in favor of grammatically sound alternatives. The frequency of this phrase is rare, reinforcing the need to use correct comparative forms. Always opt for "a longer" or other suitable replacements to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a longer

This is the grammatically correct comparative form of "long", directly replacing "more long".

a more extended

This alternative replaces "long" with "extended" while maintaining the comparative structure.

a more protracted

This alternative uses "protracted" to emphasize the duration, adding a sense of drawn-out time.

a lengthier

This uses a different adjective, "lengthier", to convey a similar meaning of increased duration.

a greater duration

This phrase replaces the adjective with a noun phrase, offering a more formal tone.

a more sustained

This focuses on the continuous nature of the duration, highlighting consistency over time.

a more prolonged

This alternative emphasizes the continuation of something over a significant period.

an increased length

This phrase shifts to a noun-based structure, focusing on the measurement of length.

a more enduring

This implies lasting quality over time, shifting the focus from mere duration to resilience.

a more comprehensive

Although less about duration, this can sometimes replace "a more long" when discussing thoroughness or scope.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "a more long"?

The grammatically correct way to express the comparative of "long" is to use "a longer". For instance, "a longer duration".

Can I use "a more long" in any situation?

No, "a more long" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. You should opt for alternatives like "a longer" or "a more extended" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "a more long-term"?

Consider using phrases like "a longer term", "a more lasting", or "a more sustainable" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a longer" and "a more long"?

Yes, "a longer" is the correct comparative form of "long", indicating a greater duration or length. "A more long" is not grammatically standard.