can be long term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be long term" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential duration or sustainability of a situation, plan, or relationship. Example: "Investing in renewable energy can be long term, providing benefits for both the environment and the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I'm at maybe 85percentt of where I can be long term.

The New York Times - Sports

Here's what investors have already found out the hard way: LOSSES CAN BE LONG TERM Stocks can lose money, even for a decade.

The New York Times

"The pros of riprap are that it can be long term," said John R. Dingler, an oceanographer with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The New York Times - Science

Invasive plants pose a serious threat to native flora and fauna, often having effects that can be long term and irreversible once established across the landscape (Flanders et al. 2006).

Ecological Processes

The financial challenges involved can be long term.

Los Angeles Times

"The relationship can be once, it can be short term, it can be long term, it can be a marriage -- everything in between," Associate Vice President Elizabeth Conklin told the Courant.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He recognizes that the price of playing the game can be long-term cognitive impairment.

The New York Times - Sports

Eighty-five per cent respond to this drug, and, Marcoux said, "some of these responses can be long-term".

The New Yorker

"If you go to trial and win, great; but if you lose, there can be long-term damage that is difficult to repair".

The New York Times

The harm can be long-term, too – Jones's Google results are now led by stories of her harassment, not of her theatrical success, and they may be for some time.

The Guardian - Tech

Madison Avenue, assessing the aftermath of the writers' strike, is optimistic that there can be long-term benefits from the disruptions suffered during the 2007-8* broadcasTVTV season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be long term" to describe the potential duration of effects, investments, or relationships. For example, "The benefits of early childhood education "can be long term", improving academic outcomes and future earnings."

Common error

While "can be long term" is acceptable, ensure you provide enough context for clarity. Instead of saying "This investment can be long term", specify the expected duration or the conditions under which it will be long term. For example, "This investment "can be long term", yielding returns over the next decade."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be long term" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the potential duration or nature of a subject. It indicates a possibility for something to extend over a considerable period. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be long term" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the potential for something to last for an extended period. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is valid and usable. It's commonly used in news, science, and general contexts to convey the possibility of lasting effects or prolonged duration. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific context for clarity, and consider alternative phrases like "may continue indefinitely" or "might have lasting effects" to add nuance. While relatively frequent, the phrase isn't overused, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary when describing potential long-lasting impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can last indefinitely

Highlights that something has no end date.

may continue indefinitely

Emphasizes the potential for something to persist without a definite end.

could extend for years

Highlights the possibility of something lasting for multiple years.

might have lasting effects

Focuses on the enduring impact or consequences of something.

could become a permanent fixture

Suggests the possibility of something becoming an established and unchangeable part of a system or environment.

may endure for a significant period

Implies a substantial duration of time.

could persist in the future

Highlights the potential for something to remain or continue in the times ahead.

might establish itself permanently

Focuses on the aspect of establishing or solidifying something in a lasting manner.

potentially remain for decades

Indicates a timeframe of several decades.

might be protracted

This alternative focuses on something being prolonged.

FAQs

How to use "can be long term" in a sentence?

Use "can be long term" to describe something that has the potential to last or have effects over an extended period. For example, "The impact of climate change on coastal communities "can be long term" and devastating".

What are some alternatives to "can be long term"?

Alternatives include "may continue indefinitely", "might have lasting effects", or "can last indefinitely" depending on the context.

What does it mean when something "can be long term"?

When something "can be long term", it signifies that its effects, duration, or relevance is expected to persist or potentially continue for a considerable amount of time, often measured in years or even decades.

Is it better to use "long-term" or "can be long term"?

The choice depends on the context. "Long-term" is typically used as an adjective (e.g., "long-term investment"), while "can be long term" describes the potential duration or nature of something (e.g., "the effects "can be long term"").