even a long time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even a long time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the duration of time in a context where something has taken longer than expected or is significant in length. Example: "I waited for even a long time before receiving a response to my inquiry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Displaced workers often experience large losses in earnings even a long time after reemployment.

Journal of Public Economics

Rieger, K. et al. Mesenchymal stem cells remain of host origin even a long time after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.

Nature

"It says that even a long time after the mice are diabetic, they still have a capacity to develop new beta cells," he added.

The New York Times - Health

If you've ever injected drugs, even just once, even a long time ago; if you've had a tattoo or a piercing; if you've lived with someone who had hepatitis B or C, you should go and get an easy blood test at your GP, an Aboriginal health service, or a sexual health clinic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Paul Sereno: It would take me even a long time to fully understand what impacted me so much because I wanted to understand it a little bit more as, "Oh, I saw artists and I saw scientists and I saw biology and I saw geology and you know what it was, it was the adventure and creativity of science.

University of Chicago

In other words, "once upon a time" or even "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The first time was special, one summer's evening a long time ago in a chilly seaside resort on the east coast of Scotland.

The Guardian - Film

Septuagenarian bard Bob Dylan – the most famous man ever to go electric, thus ushering modern music as we know it – has set his latest album of American standards on some enchanted evening, a long time ago.

The Guardian - Music

It was true even for a long time after the Wall came down.

The New York Times

Most drivers are not making a decision to do this for a lifetime or even for a long time.

The Guardian

If the worst or best news for a party comes first, the needle could mislead — even for a long time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even a long time" to emphasize that something persists or remains true despite the passage of considerable time. It adds a layer of surprise or unexpectedness to the duration.

Common error

Avoid using "even a long time" when a precise time frame is needed. While it conveys duration, it lacks specificity. Instead, provide concrete details like "even after five years" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even a long time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate duration. It emphasizes the unexpected persistence or continuation of a situation, action, or state over an extended period, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even a long time" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to emphasize duration, particularly when something lasts longer than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples across various contexts. While "even a long time" is relatively versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required for your writing and select more precise alternatives when specificity is crucial. It is most frequently used in Science and News & Media contexts. Remember to use this phrase to add emphasis on the duration of the event or fact and avoid being repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for quite some time

Indicates a duration that is longer than average or expected.

for an extended duration

Focuses on the length of the period more explicitly.

for a protracted period

Highlights the duration and drawn-out nature of the time involved.

after a considerable period

Highlights the amount of time that has passed.

after much time has elapsed

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing that a significant amount of time has passed.

following a lengthy interval

More formal and emphasizes the gap between events.

for a good while

Informal and suggests a noticeable amount of time.

over a drawn-out timeframe

Emphasizes the gradual progression of time.

for ages

An idiomatic expression implying a very long time.

in the long run

Focuses on the eventual outcome after an unspecified long period.

FAQs

How can I use "even a long time" in a sentence?

You can use "even a long time" to emphasize the unexpected persistence of something over a considerable duration. For example, "Displaced workers often experience large losses in earnings "even a long time" after reemployment."

What are some alternatives to "even a long time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "for an extended duration", "after a considerable period", or "for quite some time", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "even a long time" or "for a long time"?

"Even a long time" emphasizes the unexpected or surprising aspect of the duration. "For a long time" is a more neutral statement about duration without the added emphasis.

Can "even a long time" be used in formal writing?

While acceptable, "even a long time" might be considered less formal than alternatives like "after a considerable period" or "following a lengthy interval", which may be more appropriate for formal contexts.