be long with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be long with" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words and does not have a standard usage in English. Example: "I hope to be long with my friends during the holidays." (This sentence is awkward and unclear.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However, this type of processing tends to be long, with various energy-consuming steps and the use of organic solvents, all of which poses significant economic and environmental challenges [1, 2].

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Waiting times could also be long, with 26 out of 201 people waiting between one and two hours and 14 people waiting more than two hours for their return journeys.

BBC

Koda then recorded a cover of the Bubblegum Brothers' "Won't Be Long" with label-mates Exile.

Wikipedia

Although there are many encouraging trends, the challenges are formidable and complex, and observers active in the field understand that their campaign will be long, with no assurance of victory.

Environmental Health Perspectives

We noted that there was a tendency for genes with loss-associated chromosomal breaks in their coding regions to be long, with the mean length of such genes being 123 kb, compared to 58 kb for all human genes (median length was 74 kb, compared to 23 kb for all human genes).

Cell

López Bigas and Ouzounis (2004) investigated the distinguishing features of protein sequences between disease and non-disease genes and found that compared to the products of non-disease genes, proteins involved in hereditary diseases tend to be long, with more homologs with distant species, but fewer paralogs within human genome.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They are long, with big toes like thumbs.

The New Yorker

But the path is long, with no guarantee of success.

The New York Times

Roddick then passed him with a backhand and Sampras was long with another forehand.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a peculiar letter, taller than it was long, with no return address.

The Guardian - Books

Lines at airports are long, with people still adjusting to carry-on rules for liquids.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, substitute "be long with" with phrases that specify the type of duration or association you intend to convey. Instead of saying "the project will be long with challenges", try "the project will take a long time and will be full of challenges".

Common error

Avoid using "be long with" in an attempt to sound sophisticated. Simpler, more direct language often communicates more effectively. For instance, instead of "the process will be long with many steps", opt for "the process will be lengthy and involve many steps".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be long with" functions as a linking verb followed by an adjective and a preposition. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as noted by Ludwig. The more common usage involves specifying what will "be long", such as time or duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be long with" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical correctness is questionable. The examples provided indicate its usage is primarily to describe duration, but clearer and more precise alternatives are often preferred. Given its infrequency and potential for misinterpretation, opting for more standard phrasing, such as "take a long time" or "involve many steps", is advisable to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last a long time with

Emphasizes the duration of something in relation to someone or something else, focusing on the extended period.

take a long time with

Focuses on the amount of time required to complete a task or process involving someone or something.

be associated with for a long time

Highlights a long-term connection or relationship between entities, emphasizing the duration of the association.

have a long history with

Stresses a deep-rooted past and experience shared with someone or something, underlining historical context.

be in a relationship with for a long time

Specifically indicates a prolonged interpersonal connection, often implying emotional ties or commitments.

be involved with for a long duration

Focuses on prolonged participation or engagement, emphasizing the length of commitment to an activity or cause.

be together with for a long period

Highlights the continuous presence and companionship, emphasizing the length of time spent in each other's company.

spend a lot of time with

Emphasizes time allocation and interaction, focusing on the amount of time dedicated to someone or something.

be closely linked with over time

Indicates a strong and enduring connection between entities, highlighting how their relationship develops across time.

have extensive dealings with

Indicates numerous interactions or transactions, emphasizing the breadth and depth of engagement over time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be long with" to improve clarity?

Instead of "be long with", use phrases like "take a long time", "last a long time", or "have a long duration", depending on the intended meaning. For example, instead of "the meeting will be long with discussions", try "the meeting will "take a long time" because of the discussions".

Is "be long with" grammatically correct in formal writing?

While some instances of "be long with" appear in various texts, it is generally considered grammatically awkward and unclear. It's better to use more precise and commonly accepted phrases to ensure clarity in formal writing. Consider using phrases like "last a long time" or "involve many steps".

What are some alternatives to "be long with" when describing a process?

When describing a process, alternatives to "be long with" include "be lengthy", "be time-consuming", or "take considerable time". For example, instead of "the process will be long with several stages", try "the process will be lengthy and involve several stages".

Which is better: "the meeting will be long with discussions" or "the meeting will take a long time with discussions"?

The phrase "the meeting will take a long time with discussions" is slightly better, but still awkward. A clearer phrasing would be "the meeting will "take a long time because of" the discussions" or "the meeting will be lengthy due to the discussions". Using "take a long time" provides a more common and understandable structure.