for far too long

USAGE SUMMARY

'for far too long' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that has lasted longer than it should have. Example sentence: Our team had been waiting for the results of the game for far too long.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bridges has been overlooked for far too long.

The New York Times

That warning was ignored for far too long.

The New York Times

Homosexuals have been pigeonholed for far too long.

The Economist

"The last charter renewal went on for far too long.

Independent

APS for far too long has failed children.

The Guardian

It was true, and I mourned for far too long.

The New York Times

"For far too long, we made it too complicated".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, for far too long, security has been an afterthought.

The Guardian - Opinion

And so it would go for far too long.

The New York Times

These have been allowed to persist for far too long.

The Guardian

"We have put off difficult decisions for far too long".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "for far too long" when you want to emphasize the negative consequences of a prolonged delay or inaction.

Common error

While widely applicable, avoid using "for far too long" excessively in highly formal or academic writing; consider more nuanced alternatives like "excessively prolonged" or "long overdue" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for far too long" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests a period that has lasted longer than desired or expected, often with negative implications. The examples in Ludwig clearly illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for far too long" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to express that something has lasted longer than it should have, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, used to express frustration or highlight overdue actions. While versatile, it's advisable to use more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal writing. Common errors include overuse in such formal contexts. Related phrases include "long overdue" and "excessively prolonged". This phrase effectively conveys impatience and the need for change or resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for much too long

Uses "much" instead of "far" to indicate a great extent.

long overdue

Focuses on the idea that something should have happened sooner.

carried on too long

Focuses on the continuation of an event or situation.

excessively prolonged

Emphasizes the extreme length of the duration.

lingered excessively

Suggests something stayed longer than desired.

considerably extended

Highlights the significant extension of time.

persisted for ages

Implies stubborn continuation over a long time.

protracted unnecessarily

Implies that the duration was longer than needed.

delayed for ages

Informal way of saying something has been delayed.

gone on for too long a period

More verbose and emphasizes the period of time involved.

FAQs

How can I use "for far too long" in a sentence?

You can use "for far too long" to express that something has continued for an unacceptably long period. For example: "We have tolerated these conditions "for far too long"".

What are some alternatives to "for far too long"?

Alternatives include "long overdue", "excessively prolonged", or "delayed for ages" depending on the context.

Is "for far too long" grammatically correct?

Yes, "for far too long" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something has lasted longer than it should have.

When should I use "for far too long" instead of "too long"?

Use "for far too long" when you want to emphasize your frustration or dissatisfaction with the extended duration. "Too long" is a more neutral statement of duration, while "for far too long" adds an emotional element.