for long time

USAGE SUMMARY

'for a long time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a period of time that stretches out for an extended amount of time. For example, "I haven't seen my friend in for a long time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Claire laughs for long time.

The New Yorker

He stay for long time.

The New Yorker

Simon remains still for long time.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to see this movie for long time.

Independent

"We have been searching for it for long time.

The Guardian - Books

Girls go into yard, stay in yard for long time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

First, mGluR may be important for long time-scale motor execution.

Plosone

POSTSCRIPT for long-time Conde Nast editorial director Alexander Liberman, who died November 19th.

The New Yorker

It's truly sad news for long-time car audio geeks.

TechCrunch

The same went for long-time rival Apple.

TechCrunch

However, for long-time measurements we would recommend an exchange of sensor foils at regular intervals.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a continuous action or state, use "for a long time" to emphasize the duration. For example, "The antibodies persist for a long time, probably for life."

Common error

Be specific when possible. While "for long time" indicates duration, providing a more precise timeframe (e.g., "for several years", "for over a decade") can enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for long time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for long time" is a common and generally acceptable way to indicate duration, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While more formal alternatives exist, its usage spans various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. Be mindful of the specific context and consider more precise timeframes for improved clarity. Remember that while it is very common, the inclusion of the article 'a' in the phrase "for a long time" is more grammatically correct in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for an extended period

Replaces "time" with "period", adding a slightly more formal tone.

for a considerable time

Replaces "long" with "considerable", suggesting a significant but not necessarily precisely defined duration.

for a lengthy period

Highlights the great duration of the time frame.

for a substantial period

Emphasizes the significance of the time period.

for a prolonged duration

Substitutes both "long" and "time" to emphasize the length of the duration, increasing formality.

for quite a while

Replaces "long time" with a more colloquial expression, reducing formality.

for a good while

Similar to "for quite a while", indicating a noticeable duration.

over an extended duration

Uses "over" instead of "for", slightly shifting the focus to the passage of time.

for many years

Specifies the length of time using a concrete unit, implying a very long duration.

for ages

A more informal and emphatic way of saying "for a long time".

FAQs

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

You can use "for long time" to indicate that something has existed or occurred over a significant duration. For example, "Encryption techniques have been used for long time to secure sensitive data."

What are some alternatives to "for long time"?

Consider using phrases like "for an extended period", "for a considerable time", or "for quite a while", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "for a long time" or "for long time"?

While "for long time" is commonly used, the inclusion of the article 'a' in "for a long time" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. However, the version without the article is also widely accepted.

What does "for long time" imply about the duration?

The phrase "for long time" suggests that something has persisted or been the case for a notably extended period. The exact duration is relative to the context but implies more than just a brief moment.