continuing for a long time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing for a long time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or state that persists over an extended duration. Example: "The project has been continuing for a long time, and we need to find a way to expedite the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He told reporters increased efficiency meant growth, which increased hiring, and said he saw a "virtuous cycle": "I see that cycle continuing for a long time … we continue to add employees, and no employee has been negatively impacted by Kiva coming on board".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We expect our uprising to continue for a long time".

The New York Times

But nothing changed; the torture continued for a long time".

Independent

And that is bound to continue for a long time.

The New York Times

And continues: For a long time they rode the stormy seas.

The New Yorker

But more than 4 in 10 say the standoff will continue for a long time.

The New York Times

Underreporting of babesiosis is expected to continue for a long time.

The New York Times

"If it continues for a long time you could see malnutrition rates rising".

The New York Times

It's enjoyed a great ride, and it may continue for a long time yet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Public anger at the greed and stupidity in this industry will continue for a long time.

The Guardian

"If the west could rediscover spiritual firmness, the struggle could continue for a long time".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continuing for a long time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being sustained. For instance, specify whether it's a process, a condition, or an activity.

Common error

Avoid using redundant adverbs that reiterate the length of time. For example, "continuing for a long time period" is repetitive because "period" is already implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing for a long time" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the duration of an action or state. It's an adverbial phrase providing information about how long something lasts, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "continuing for a long time" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the prolonged duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples from reliable sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid redundancy when employing this phrase. More concise alternatives, such as "persisting for an extended duration", can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persisting for an extended duration

Focuses on the persistence aspect, emphasizing a drawn-out timeframe.

lasting a considerable period

Highlights the length of the duration, suggesting a significant amount of time.

remaining in effect for a prolonged duration

Emphasizes the state of being in effect over a long timeframe.

going on for an extended period

More informal, indicating something is happening over a long time.

carrying on for a substantial time

Similar to 'going on', but suggests a more active continuation.

enduring for a lengthy spell

Highlights the aspect of enduring or withstanding over time.

maintaining momentum for a long stretch

Focuses on the sustained momentum over a considerable duration.

uninterrupted for a significant duration

Emphasizes the lack of interruption over a lengthy period.

protracted duration

A more concise, formal way to describe a long-lasting timeframe.

ongoing for an appreciable time

Emphasizes that something is presently happening and will continue for a noticeable duration.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "continuing for a long time"?

You can use phrases like "persisting for an extended duration", "lasting a considerable period", or "going on for an extended period" depending on the context.

How do I use "continuing for a long time" in a sentence?

Use "continuing for a long time" to describe a process, state, or activity that has persisted over an extended period. For example, "The negotiations have been continuing for a long time, with no resolution in sight."

Is it better to say "continuing for a long time" or "long-lasting"?

Whether to use "continuing for a long time" or "long-lasting" depends on the context. "Continuing for a long time" emphasizes an ongoing process, while "long-lasting" describes something designed or expected to endure. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "continuing for a long time" and "remaining for a long time"?

"Continuing for a long time" implies an action or process that is ongoing, whereas "remaining for a long time" suggests a state of being or existence that persists. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize action or state.