after a long interval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a long interval" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe an incident or event that occurred after a period of time. For example, "After a long interval, the two former friends were finally reunited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

How frightened I have been!" he said, after a long interval.

The Guardian - Arts

Practical metallurgy began with necklace beads and hammered ornaments and progressed, after a long interval, to knives and other weapons.

The New York Times - Arts

He was minister of war in 1918 when, after a long interval, the army began to express its political views.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the project really got off the ground in 1920s Moscow in the Marx-Engels Institute that Riazanov founded, and, after a long interval, was resurrected in the 1970s by the East German and Soviet authorities.

Columbia University

She, poor dear, had last seen him entering the sea for a swim and, after a long interval during which he failed to emerge, had notified police of his probable drowning.

The New York Times

It was like seeing an old friend after a long interval and being overcome with the sickening feeling that one of you has changed beyond recognition, that the old magic is gone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The congress is the highest-level political meeting in North Korea, and Kim's convening of the gathering after such a long interval -- his father, Kim Jong Il, never held one at all during his 17-year rule -- has raised expectations inside and outside North Korea that the young leader may announce some new major policy direction or personnel changes.

Los Angeles Times

In 14 of our patients who were treated after such a long interval, the infection resolved in 7 cases with retention of the prosthesis, and in 4 after extraction, so the result for healing of infection was 11 out of 14.

Acta Orthopaedica

After the Kuznetsk Basin came a long interval of meadows.

The New Yorker

The second prognostic factor for breast cancer patients after liver metastasectomy is a long interval (more than 1 year) between diagnosis of breast cancer and detection of liver metastasis [6, 7, 10, 13].

Surgical Case Reports

In conclusion, this study suggests that retreatment with bortezomib is an effective strategy for patients who relapsed with a long interval after initial bortezomib therapy.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after a long interval" to clearly indicate that a significant amount of time has passed between two events. This helps establish a sense of chronology and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "after a long interval" when referring to events that closely follow one another. The phrase implies a considerable duration, so using it for short gaps can confuse readers and weaken your narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a long interval" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred in relation to a significant lapse of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after a long interval" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a significant lapse of time between events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While its frequency is relatively uncommon, the phrase is most prevalent in scientific, news, and academic writing, lending a degree of formality to the context. When using "after a long interval", ensure that the time period you're describing is genuinely substantial; otherwise, consider using a more appropriate phrase to avoid miscommunication. Related phrases can provide variety, but it is important to select one that mirrors the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Following a considerable delay

Replaces "long interval" with "considerable delay", emphasizing the delay itself.

After a substantial period

Uses "substantial period" instead of "long interval", focusing on the extended timeframe.

Following an extended hiatus

Substitutes "long interval" with "extended hiatus", highlighting a break or interruption.

After a protracted gap

Replaces "long interval" with "protracted gap", stressing the length of the separation.

Subsequent to a lengthy pause

Uses "lengthy pause" instead of "long interval", emphasizing the duration of the pause.

Following a significant lapse

Replaces "long interval" with "significant lapse", highlighting a decline or deviation over time.

After an appreciable duration

Substitutes "long interval" with "appreciable duration", focusing on the noticeable length of time.

Following a noticeable break

Replaces "long interval" with "noticeable break", emphasizing that the pause was easily observed.

Subsequent to a drawn-out period

Uses "drawn-out period" instead of "long interval", highlighting the slow and extended nature of the time.

After a considerable stretch of time

Replaces "long interval" with "considerable stretch of time", giving a more descriptive account of the extended duration.

FAQs

How can I use "after a long interval" in a sentence?

You can use "after a long interval" to describe something that happens following a significant period of time. For example: "After a long interval, the band released a new album."

What are some alternatives to "after a long interval"?

Alternatives include "following a considerable delay", "after a substantial period", or "subsequent to a lengthy pause".

Is it ever incorrect to use "after a long interval"?

Yes, it would be incorrect to use "after a long interval" if the time between the events you're describing is actually quite short. The phrase suggests a significant duration.

What distinguishes "after a long interval" from "after a short interval"?

"After a long interval" implies a considerable amount of time has passed, while "after a short interval" indicates that events occurred relatively quickly in succession.