be longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be longer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the desired length of something, such as a text, a meeting, or an object. Example: "I think the presentation should be longer to cover all the important points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The delay could be longer.

The Economist

Dresses may be longer, but.

The New Yorker

Shouldn't this category be longer?

The New Yorker

Nasri will be longer".

The Guardian - Sport

It could be longer".

The New York Times

"Tomorrow will be longer," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

My driver probably needs to be longer.

The New York Times - Sports

"There will probably be longer lines.

The New York Times

I'd like it to be longer.

The New York Times

"They need to be longer than that".

The New Yorker

It will certainly be longer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be longer" to indicate an increase in physical length or duration, ensuring it fits the context.

Common error

Avoid using "be longer" when simply stating a length without comparison. Instead of "The rope should be be longer", use "The rope should be long". The comparative form implies a comparison to something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be longer" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that something should have a greater extent in space or time. Ludwig examples show it used to express a desired increase in duration or physical size.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be longer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It typically functions to express a desire or need for something to increase in length or duration. While adaptable across various contexts, it commonly appears in news, media, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify the subject and object of comparison. Alternatives such as "extend the duration" and "increase the length" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend the duration

Focuses on the act of extending duration, often implying a deliberate action.

increase the length

Highlights making something physically longer or longer in time.

prolong the period

Emphasizes the act of making a period of time last longer, typically in formal contexts.

lengthen the time

Similar to "increase the length", specifically focusing on time.

last for a greater duration

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the total time something exists or continues.

take more time

Focuses on the time required for an activity or process.

have a longer lifespan

Refers specifically to the length of life or existence.

stretch out the period

Suggests extending a period, sometimes artificially or unnecessarily.

expand the timeframe

Implies increasing the boundaries of a specific time period.

make it more lengthy

Similar in meaning, focusing on the characteristic of being long.

FAQs

How can I use "be longer" in a sentence?

Use "be longer" to compare the length or duration of something to something else. For example, "The movie should "be longer" than two hours" or "This road needs to "be longer" to accommodate more traffic".

What are some alternatives to "be longer"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "extend the duration", "increase the length", or "prolong the period".

Is it correct to say "be more longer"?

No, "be more longer" is redundant. "Longer" is already the comparative form of "long", so you should simply use ""be longer"".

What's the difference between "be longer" and "be long"?

"Be long" describes something that has a significant length or duration in general. "Be longer" compares the length or duration of something to something else, indicating it should exceed a certain standard or another object's length.