ever longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever longer" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a certain amount of time or a certain amount of something is increasing. For example, "The lines at the grocery store seem to get ever longer these days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's never, ever longer than 25 seconds, 30 seconds.

The New York Times - Arts

Ever longer sentences have contributed to this phenomenon.

The Guardian - Opinion

These fantasies grew ever longer and more complex.

The New Yorker

As we're living ever longer, we're outlasting the possibilities of love.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Women wait ever longer and increasingly do not bother at all.

The Economist

Mr. Hutchinson dreamed up ever longer and more dangerous expeditions for kayakers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Globalisation has put the hand at the end of an ever-longer arm.

The Economist

Americans eat, drink and live in them during ever-longer commutes.

The New York Times

Over time, he led a team in designing sophisticated software that evolved to build ever-longer chains.

The New York Times - Health

Riders must complete a series of ever-longer rides within set times to qualify for a spot at P.B.P.

The New York Times

Good times in the free world meant, in here, ever-longer sentences, meaner regulations and ever-decreasing interest in rehabilitation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ever longer" to describe trends or situations where something is continuously increasing in length, duration, or extent. For example, "Waiting lists for specialized medical care are getting "ever longer" due to increased demand and limited resources."

Common error

Avoid using "ever longer" when describing a one-time increase or a static state. It's best suited for depicting ongoing, gradual changes. For example, saying 'The rope is ever longer' after simply adding a piece is incorrect; 'The rope is now longer' would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever longer" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to intensify the degree to which something is increasing in length or duration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples illustrating its use in context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ever longer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that effectively conveys a continuous increase in length or duration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it appropriately to describe ongoing trends rather than static states. By considering alternative phrases like "increasingly extended" or "progressively prolonged", writers can fine-tune their language for greater precision. Remember to avoid misusing the phrase in static situations to ensure clarity in your writing. The phrase "ever longer" is a useful tool for expressing ongoing growth and extension in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly extended

This alternative emphasizes the gradual increase in length.

progressively prolonged

This alternative highlights the ongoing nature of the lengthening process.

constantly lengthening

Focuses on the continuous action of becoming longer.

continually extended

Similar to 'constantly lengthening', but may imply more active intervention.

steadily growing

This alternative suggests a more gradual and consistent increase in length or duration.

always extending

Suggests the lengthening is a perpetual state or characteristic.

persistently elongated

Emphasizes the ongoing and perhaps stubborn nature of the lengthening.

ceaselessly lengthening

This alternative stresses the unending nature of the increase in length.

unendingly prolonged

Highlights that the prolongation has no foreseeable end.

perpetually increasing

Suggests a timeless or infinite quality to the increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "ever longer" to describe something that is continuously increasing in length or duration. For example, "The days felt "ever longer" as the deadline approached."

What phrases are similar to "ever longer"?

Similar phrases include "increasingly extended", "progressively prolonged", and "constantly lengthening", each carrying a slightly different emphasis on the nature of the lengthening process.

Is "ever longer" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ever longer" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to indicate a continuous increase in length or duration.

What's the difference between "ever longer" and "longer"?

"Longer" simply indicates a greater length, while "ever longer" implies a continuous and ongoing increase in length over time.