after however long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after however long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of uncertainty or indeterminate duration before an event occurs or a situation changes. Example: "I will be ready to discuss the project after however long it takes to gather all the necessary information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead, he calls for the trainer, the doctor and then after however long it takes him to assess the problem they've already wasted 10 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're fine with being double, and they live happily ever after for however long they have left, in a world of love.

The New York Times - Books

"This happened, however, long after all spectators had left the stadium after the match, and the incident had no impact whatsoever on the match day security operations.

The New York Times

Scott added, "We'll be brothers for however long after that".

The New York Times - Sports

He remained proficient on a typewriter's keys, however; long after the world had adopted personal computers, he was still pounding away on his Smith-Corona manual.

The New York Times - Arts

All government denials have finally withered away, thanks to unearthed British documentation and the tenacity of some individuals and organisations, insisting that gross injustice be acknowledged, however long after the event.

The Guardian

I do not take murder, however long after it happened, to be automatically a fit subject for entertainment, and I sometimes wonder whether the existence of tours celebrating the deeds of Jack the Ripper should bother us more than it does.

The Guardian - Books

However, long after the rat, along with the other four-fifths of the Famous Five and many other of the station's celebrity presenters, had departed the sinking ship, Frost remained at TV-am, chiefly because his Frost on Sunday programme enabled him to continue doing what he liked doing best, interviewing on television.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Investment banks would later enter the space, however long after independent firms had become well established.

Wikipedia

The three of us stuck together, however, long after my parents were off mingling with the adults.

Huffington Post

However, long after the members of the round table passed, ghostly reminisces of characters were reported by the hotel's staff.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after however long" to indicate that the precise duration is not known or is irrelevant to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "after however long" in highly formal or academic writing. More precise language is typically preferred in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after however long" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating an unspecified or indefinite duration of time. It modifies a verb or clause by expressing when something occurs in relation to a certain period.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after however long" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate an unspecified duration of time before an event occurs. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English. While its usage is relatively rare, it finds its place in news media, wikis, and general contexts where the exact timing isn't critical. For more formal or academic settings, alternatives like "following an indefinite period" are recommended. When using "after however long", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following an indefinite period

Replaces "however long" with a more formal term for an unspecified time frame.

after an unspecified duration

Uses synonyms for "however" and "long" to convey a similar meaning with different wording.

subsequent to an unknown time

Presents a more formal and somewhat literary alternative.

once a certain amount of time has passed

Emphasizes the completion of a time period before the next event.

after a period of time

A more generic and common way to express the passage of time.

at some point after

Highlights the uncertainty of the exact timing.

following an interval

Uses a more technical term for a period of time.

after a while

An informal way to indicate the passage of time.

down the line

An idiomatic expression suggesting a future time.

later on

A simple and direct way to indicate a subsequent time.

FAQs

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

You can use "after however long" to indicate an indefinite duration before something happens, like in: "I will start the project "after however long" it takes to gather the resources."

What can I say instead of "after however long"?

You can use alternatives like "following an indefinite period", "after an unspecified duration", or "at some point after" depending on the context.

Is "after however long" formal or informal?

The phrase "after however long" leans towards the informal side. For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "subsequent to an unknown time" or "following an indefinite period".

Can "after however long" be used in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "after however long" might be too vague for academic writing. It is better to use more specific expressions such as "after a specific period" or "following an established duration".