are long used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are long used" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey that something has been in use for a long time, but the structure is awkward. Example: "These methods are long used in traditional practices."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

People are long used to shrugging and accepting the cuts, but anger boiled over at last week's national blackout.

The Guardian

Californians are long used to the televised cut-and-thrust of political advertising in a state where distances are huge and civic discourse muted.

The New York Times

My sense is that even the Arabs who are long used the Palestinian issue as a diversion from their core problems are sick of it.

The New York Times

The England team are long used to suffering racial abuse in eastern Europe and this group looks pretty ominous in that respect - Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan have never fielded a black player between them.

The Guardian - Sport

Rush, and Rush fans, are long used to being the butt of the joke – kimono-wearing, book-learning, heavily moustachioed Canadian prog-rock overlords never seemed likely to be at the cutting edge of cool.

The Guardian - Music

Dylan fans, however are long used to such a runaround, with his dark classics rendered so unintelligibly in some recent tours they could be the works of Donald Duck.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Choose passwords which are long, use a combination of lower and upper case letters, and include numbers.

The Guardian - Money

If the hairs are long, use short strokes, rinsing after each one so your razor doesn't get clogged.

WikiHow

The same argument was long used to justify racial segregation.

The Guardian - Opinion

[A1.] California is long used to fires, floods, earthquakes and riots.

The New York Times

The surrounding area was long used as a setting for Westerns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that has been used for a long time, prefer the phrases "have been used for a long time" or "have a long history of use" over the grammatically awkward "are long used".

Common error

Avoid using "are long used" in formal writing. This phrase is not grammatically sound and can confuse your readers. Opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are long used" functions as a passive construction attempting to describe something with a history of being utilized. However, the grammatical structure is non-standard. As Ludwig AI points out, a better wording can be easily chosen.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are long used" is identified by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect, though it appears in various sources. It's intended to convey that something has been utilized for an extended time. However, its awkward structure makes it less desirable in formal contexts. Prefer alternatives like "have been used for a long time" or "have a long history of use" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. This phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, though its non-standard nature makes it advisable to use alternative phrasings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been used for a long time

Emphasizes the duration of usage using a more standard grammatical structure.

have a long history of use

Highlights the historical aspect of the usage.

have been in use for many years

Focuses on the extended period of time something has been actively used.

are traditionally used

Implies a customary or long-established practice.

have been employed for ages

Uses a more emphatic term ("ages") to convey a very long duration.

are commonly employed

Focuses more on the prevalence of the usage rather than its duration.

are widely adopted

Indicates that the usage has become widespread.

have a well-established usage

Highlights the recognized and accepted nature of the usage.

have a long-standing tradition

Emphasizes the traditional aspect and enduring nature of the practice.

are historically used

Focuses specifically on the historical context of the usage.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are long used" to sound more natural?

You can use more standard phrases such as "have been used for a long time", "have a long history of use", or "are traditionally used" depending on the context.

Is "are long used" grammatically correct?

No, "are long used" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use phrases like "have been used" or "were used for a long time".

When is it appropriate to use "are long used"?

While "are long used" might occasionally appear in informal contexts, it's generally best to avoid it in formal or academic writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility.

What are some formal alternatives to "are long used"?

Formal alternatives include "have been employed", "have a well-established usage", or "have a long-standing tradition". These options provide clarity and maintain a professional tone.