for however long

USAGE SUMMARY

'for however long' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or circumstance will continue for an unspecified or undetermined amount of time. For example, "The store will remain closed for however long the government deems necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scott added, "We'll be brothers for however long after that".

The New York Times - Sports

I am willing to wait for however long it takes".

The New York Times

For however long he is gone, Foreman will be missed.

The New York Times - Sports

For however long the show runs, it intends to keep setting mysteries in towns named Push.

The New York Times

It is an act of immorality to continue bombing for however long it may be".

The New York Times

"Is it just to put the cake in the oven for however long?

The Guardian - Business

People will consider me a part of their lives for however long Downton Abbey lasts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reverse sweep has been part of the game for however long.

The Guardian - Sport

Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair pensions deal.

The Guardian

Mr. Ricci countered: "Look, they got a benefit for however long.

The New York Times

Something I'm very aware of is engaging people's attention for however long they are listening.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for however long" when you want to emphasize that the duration is uncertain and depends on future circumstances. For example, "We will continue to support the project for however long it remains beneficial."

Common error

Avoid using "for however long" when a specific timeframe is already known or implied. Using it in such cases can make the sentence sound awkward or unclear. Prefer specific time indications instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for however long" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration of an action or state. It indicates that the length of time is indefinite and contingent on circumstances. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for however long" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to indicate an unspecified duration, dependent on circumstances. It appears most commonly in News & Media. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternative phrasing for enhanced precision or sophistication. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable, making it a versatile option for expressing indefinite timeframes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for as long as it takes

Focuses on the necessity of completing something regardless of time.

as long as necessary

Similar meaning, but the emphasis is on necessity and less on the unknown duration.

for whatever time is necessary

Emphasizes that the length of time is dictated by the needs of the situation.

as long as it lasts

Implies something may have a natural end.

for an indefinite period

Highlights the uncertainty of the time frame involved.

while it continues

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an event or situation.

for the duration

Implies a defined period, whereas the original phrase is open-ended.

until the end

Suggests a definitive endpoint to the period of time.

for the foreseeable future

Indicates a period of time that can be reasonably predicted.

for the time being

Indicates a temporary situation, not necessarily a long one.

FAQs

How can I use "for however long" in a sentence?

You can use "for however long" to indicate an unspecified duration that depends on certain conditions. For example, "The exhibit will be available "for however long" the museum can secure funding."

What's a more formal alternative to "for however long"?

A more formal alternative could be "for the duration that" or "for as long as", depending on the context. For example, "The agreement will remain in effect for the duration that the parties mutually agree."

Is "for however long" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "for however long" leans towards a neutral to informal tone. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "for as long as" or "during the period that" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "for however long" and "for as long as"?

"For however long" emphasizes the uncertain or conditional nature of the duration, while "for as long as" simply indicates a duration that continues as long as a certain condition is met. The difference is subtle, but "for however long" adds a touch of uncertainty or dependence on external factors.