expected for a long time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expected for a long time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been anticipated or awaited over an extended period. Example: "The announcement of the new product was expected for a long time, and it finally arrived last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is obviously a big step for Facebook, and one that many people have been expected for a long time.

TechCrunch

Open Source and Linux are definitely entering the mainstream, but I think compromises like this will have to be expected for a long time to come.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This disaster is the war that many Japanese have been dreading, and expecting, for a long time.

The New York Times

"It's something I have been expecting for a long time," said Gold. "It didn't occur to me for one second that they were a part of any wrongdoing, having known their character from working with them for over 20 years.

The Guardian - Sport

Given the sheer weight of attention the topic of domestic violence has recently garnered, any athlete – jockey, footballer or otherwise – charged with domestic violence, as well as the authorities that govern, should expect for a long time to come far greater scrutiny of their actions.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Torricelli's campaign manager, Ken Snyder, said that "the fact is, the race is tied," and that the national party strategists should have expected that for a long time.

The New York Times

The Justice Department's civil rights investigation into George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, is still active after two years with no results expected, well, for a long time.

Huffington Post

As for an open system, in our case, it should be expected for a quite long time interval the total electromagnetic energy of the atoms-field system to be emitted into the subsystem causing the state damping.

Nanoscale Research Letters

An interrogator told him, "We have been expecting you for a long time," and showed him a file that held a copy of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes describing his milestone 28th kill.

The New York Times

Apple watchers have been expecting this for a long time.

TechCrunch

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expected for a long time" to emphasize that an event or situation was anticipated or predicted well in advance. This can add context and depth to your writing, highlighting the foresight or inevitability of the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "was expected for a long time" excessively. Sometimes, an active voice construction, such as "many anticipated it for years", can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expected for a long time" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, often describing an event, announcement, or situation. It conveys that something has been anticipated or predicted over an extended period. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expected for a long time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe events or situations that have been anticipated or predicted well in advance. It functions as an adjectival modifier, adding emphasis and context to the described event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is versatile and suitable for various writing styles, though awareness of more concise alternatives is useful. Its frequent appearance in News & Media sources underscores its role in conveying foreseeability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long anticipated

Replaces the phrase with a more concise adjective form.

long awaited

Uses 'awaited' instead of 'expected', emphasizing the waiting aspect.

expected for many years

Replaces "a long time" with "many years" for emphasis on duration.

foreseen for years

Focuses on the prediction aspect over an extended duration.

predicted well in advance

Highlights the prediction being made significantly beforehand.

long in the making

Highlights that something has been developing or preparing for an extended period.

anticipated for a considerable period

Substitutes "long time" with "considerable period" for a more formal tone.

in the pipeline for years

Suggests a planned event or outcome that has been in development for a substantial time.

coming for quite some time

Focuses on the idea of something approaching over a duration.

on the horizon for ages

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the extended anticipation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "expected for a long time" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases like "anticipated for a considerable period" or "long anticipated" for a more formal tone.

What's a more concise way to say "expected for a long time"?

Alternatives such as "long awaited" or "long anticipated" are shorter and convey the same meaning effectively.

Is it always appropriate to use "expected for a long time"?

While grammatically correct, "expected for a long time" may not always be the most impactful choice. Consider alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example, you may consider using phrases such as "predicted well in advance" if you are referring to something that was foreseen.

What is the difference between "expected for a long time" and "hoped for a long time"?

"Expected for a long time" implies anticipation or prediction, while "hoped for a long time" suggests desire and wishfulness. The former focuses on a likely outcome, while the latter on a desired one.