for a considerable time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a considerable time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a length of time that is longer than normal. For example, "We have been waiting for a considerable time for the bus to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This, said Roe, "suggests Keats was indeed an 'habitual' user of opium and had been dosing himself for a considerable time".

The Guardian - Books

He went on for a considerable time.

The New Yorker

I've been involved in club management for a considerable time – less so as an international manager.

The Guardian - Sport

But it committed to keeping record low interest rates for "a considerable time".

The Guardian - Business

(We even argued for a considerable time about "reasonable doubt," which had been poorly defined).

The New York Times - Magazine

We waited by the elevators for a considerable time, while they stepped around us.

The New Yorker

Despite the prison doctor's call for a biopsy, nothing happened for a considerable time.

The New York Times

Couldn't this be described as waiting "for a considerable time after the economic recovery strengthens"?

The New York Times

It is no longer inconceivable that its growth could outpace China's for a considerable time.

The Economist

Bioreactors have therefore been in focus for a considerable time to build up enlarged tissues.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Some of these cases will drag on for a considerable time if we convict organizations and then bring in individuals.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a considerable time", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or situation was ongoing during this duration. For example, "The negotiations continued for a considerable time, but ultimately failed."

Common error

Avoid using "for a considerable time" when referring to short durations. This phrase implies a noticeably long period, so using it for something that lasted only a few minutes would be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a considerable time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration of an action or state. It indicates that something lasted longer than what might be considered a brief or insignificant period, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a considerable time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a duration that is notably long. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While its register is generally neutral, the choice of specific alternatives might be more appropriate depending on the desired level of formality. It is very common in news, scientific writing and encyclopedia articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for quite some time

Adds 'quite' to emphasize the length of the period.

for a long duration

Replaces 'considerable' with 'long', focusing on the length of the period.

for an extended period

Substitutes 'considerable time' with 'extended period', emphasizing the prolonged nature.

for a substantial period

Uses 'substantial' instead of 'considerable', highlighting the significant length of time.

for a significant duration

Uses 'significant' to underscore the importance of the duration.

for a good while

A more informal way of saying "for a considerable time".

for an appreciable length of time

Replaces 'considerable' with 'appreciable', emphasizing that the length of time is noticeable.

over a long timeframe

Replaces 'time' with 'timeframe', suggesting a specific duration.

for ages

An idiomatic way of expressing a very long time, less formal.

for years

Specifically indicates multiple years, implying a long duration.

FAQs

How can I use "for a considerable time" in a sentence?

Use "for a considerable time" to indicate that something lasted longer than expected or for a noticeably long duration. For example, "The project was delayed "for a considerable time" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "for a considerable time"?

You can use alternatives like "for a long duration", "for an extended period", or "for quite some time" depending on the context.

Is it formal to use "for a considerable time"?

The phrase "for a considerable time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "for a good while" are more informal.

What's the difference between "for a considerable time" and "for a short time"?

"For a considerable time" indicates a duration that is longer than usual or expected, while "for a short time" indicates a brief duration. The key difference is the length of the period being described.