for long years

USAGE SUMMARY

"for long years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that is long but not necessarily specified. For example: "The small village has been forgotten by time for long years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Yet for long years Israel has enjoyed one relative comfort.

The Economist

Like Amnesty International, I have been struggling for justice and human rights for long years.

The Guardian - Opinion

You thought it, actually; for long years, you thought he was very clever, but he is not.

The New Yorker

With rigid approval practices based on standard operational procedures, adaptations of production reactors towards the state of the art were more or less inhibited for long years.

Journal of Biotechnology

Investigated for long years, the issue has been recently addressed in a novel and more efficient way by applying principles of data mining algorithms.

Information Systems

For long years, historian Joseph Wulf sought to gather support for a museum on the spot where the Holocaust took shape.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

We had to save for five long years for our wedding, until we could afford it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was a caregiver for seven long years for Dr. Edward Theodoru, my beloved Romanian soul mate of 30 years.

Huffington Post

"We have been waiting for this day for 27 long years.

The New York Times

Delia, you've been there for us like guiding beacon, for 40 long years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She has waited for her husband's return home for 12 long years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for long years" to emphasize the duration of a situation, especially when highlighting persistence or resilience over time.

Common error

Avoid using "for long years" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "for a long time" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for long years" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the duration or extent of an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically sound and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for long years" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express duration, as supported by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to emphasize the length of time something has persisted, with nuances of endurance or prolonged impact. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, giving it a somewhat neutral to formal tone. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "for many years" or "for a long time" for more casual scenarios. Remembering these considerations will ensure effective and appropriate use of the phrase in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for many years

This alternative is very similar but employs "many" instead of "long" to denote a significant duration.

for numerous years

Similar to "for many years" but perhaps slightly more emphatic.

for a long time

Uses a more general term, "time", instead of "years", to indicate a lengthy period.

for several years

Specifies an indefinite but substantial number of years.

over the years

Focuses on the cumulative effect of time passing, rather than a continuous period.

throughout the years

Highlights the continuation of something across a span of years.

in the course of years

Emphasizes the progression of time and the changes that occur.

for a protracted period

Emphasizes the length and possibly the difficulty of the period.

during those years

Refers to a specific period in the past.

in the preceding years

Indicates a period leading up to a specific point in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "for long years" to describe a situation that has persisted over a significant period, such as, "The tradition has been maintained "for long years"".

What's a good alternative to "for long years"?

Alternatives include phrases like "for many years", "over the years", or "for a long time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "for long years"?

Yes, "for long years" is grammatically correct and understandable. It's used to indicate a duration extending over multiple years.

How does "for long years" differ from "for many years"?

"For long years" and "for many years" are quite similar. However, "for long years" may subtly emphasize the perceived length or difficulty of the period, while "for many years" is a more neutral statement of duration.