for long terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for long terms" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "for the long term" or "for long-term." Example: "Investing in renewable energy is a strategy for the long term."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Enforce these laws and put violators in jail for long terms.

The New York Times

Members of the Federal Reserve Board serve for long terms; chairmen typically serve across several administrations from both parties.

The New York Times - Magazine

PCR product was stored at 4 °C for short time storage and at −20 °C for long terms.

Nature

Meanwhile, the only ones who were punished are some hapless Caracas policemen, jailed for long terms without evidence.

The Economist

At high temperatures phenol formaldehyde adhesives can be advised as the building material used for long terms.

Construction and Building Materials

To free senators from threat of de-selection and ensure independence from party whips, they would be elected for long terms and could not be re-elected.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

(for Long Term Evolution).

The New York Times - Tech

For Long Term Economic Development, Only Skills Matter.

Stanford University

Gap filling strategies for long term energy flux data sets.

University of California, Berkeley

Short term funding for long term lending should be abolished.

BBC

The justification is short term pain for long term gain.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "in the long term" or "for the long term" as grammatically correct alternatives when referring to extended periods or durations.

Common error

Avoid using the plural "terms" with "for long" as it's not standard English. Opt for singular forms like "term" or rephrase to use alternative expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for long terms" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to denote duration. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect, making its function unclear in standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for long terms" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English prefers alternatives like "for the long term" or "in the long term" when referring to extended durations. Given its lack of usage in authoritative sources, it's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to effectively convey the intended meaning. Consider using phrases like "for an extended period" or "over a prolonged period" for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the long term

More grammatically sound alternative, focusing on future implications.

for extended durations

Replaces 'terms' with 'durations' emphasizing length of time.

over a prolonged period

Uses a more formal structure to indicate a long timeframe.

for a considerable time

Emphasizes the length of time as being significant.

in the long run

Focuses on the final outcome after a significant duration.

for an indefinite period

Highlights that the duration is not precisely determined.

permanently

Indicates an intention for something to last forever.

for years to come

Specifically refers to a future duration spanning multiple years.

over the long haul

Uses an idiom to indicate persistence across a lengthy period.

in the fullness of time

Suggests that results will appear eventually after a significant wait.

FAQs

What's the correct way to refer to extended durations?

Instead of "for long terms", it's more appropriate to say "for the long term" or "in the long term".

Is "for long terms" grammatically correct?

No, "for long terms" isn't considered grammatically correct in standard English. Alternatives like "for the long term" should be used instead.

What can I say instead of "for long terms" to mean 'a prolonged duration'?

You can use phrases like "for an extended period", "over a prolonged period", or "in the long run".

Which is correct, "for long terms" or "for the long term"?

"For the long term" is the correct and widely accepted phrase. "For long terms" is grammatically incorrect.