but longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but longer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two things, indicating that one is of greater length or duration than the other. Example: "This version of the story is more detailed, but longer than the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Bigger jackpots, but longer odds.

Independent

But longer is better.

The Washington Post

But longer winters are unlikely to help.

The Economist

12))) 17 min. Similar to the other tracks, but longer.

Stanford University

But longer term, district officials want to encourage innovation.

The New York Times

TfL has followed a similar, but longer, path.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But longer-term political ramifications are unavoidable.

The New York Times

But longer-term solutions are also being explored.

Independent

But longer-term securities have done less well.

The New York Times

But longer-term quality is still a question mark.

The New York Times

But longer-term worries loom for workers who see their pensions shrivelling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but longer", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared in terms of length or duration. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but longer" when comparing abstract qualities that are not directly related to length or duration. It's suitable for concrete comparisons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but longer" functions as a conjunctive phrase used to introduce a contrast while specifying a greater length or duration. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it connects two ideas, emphasizing the difference in extent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but longer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunctive phrase that serves to introduce a contrast with an emphasis on greater length or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing, and maintains a neutral register. When employing "but longer", clarity in comparison is key to avoiding ambiguity. While the phrase is versatile, consider alternatives like "yet more extended" or "however more lengthy" for a change in tone or emphasis. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's widespread applicability and contextual nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet more extended

Replaces "but" with "yet" and "longer" with the more formal "more extended".

though more prolonged

Swaps "but" for "though" and "longer" for "more prolonged", giving a slightly more formal tone.

however, more lengthy

Replaces "but" with "however" and "longer" with "more lengthy", emphasizing contrast and formality.

although of greater duration

Substitutes "but" with "although" and replaces "longer" with "of greater duration", increasing formality and precision.

even if more protracted

Changes "but" to "even if" and "longer" to "more protracted", suggesting a potential condition.

while more time-consuming

Alters the structure to focus on the time aspect using "more time-consuming".

in contrast, more expansive

Replaces "but" with "in contrast" and "longer" with "more expansive", highlighting the difference in extent.

on the other hand, more drawn-out

Uses "on the other hand" instead of "but" and replaces "longer" with "more drawn-out", emphasizing a drawn-out nature.

conversely, more elongated

Substitutes "but" with "conversely" and "longer" with "more elongated", highlighting a difference in length or shape.

yet taking more time

Replaces "longer" with "taking more time", shifting the focus to the temporal aspect of length.

FAQs

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

Use "but longer" to compare the length or duration of two items or events. For example, "The second act was more engaging, "but longer" than the first."

What are some alternatives to saying "but longer"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "yet more extended", "though more prolonged", or "however more lengthy" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but longer"?

While technically grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence with "but" is often discouraged in formal writing. It's better to connect it to a previous clause or sentence for smoother flow. Therefore, starting a sentence with ""but longer"" is discouraged.

When is it appropriate to use "but longer" in writing?

It's appropriate when contrasting two items or events, highlighting that one has a greater length or duration than the other. Ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to the context.