for this long

USAGE SUMMARY

"for this long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the duration of an event or experience. For example: I have been waiting in line for this long and I don't even know what I'm waiting for.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Eat this, pedal this fast for this long, sleep for this long.

The Guardian - Sport

The excellent result should help compensate for this long delay.

The New York Times

The reasons for this long mutual estrangement are well known.

The Guardian - Opinion

For him to be pulling that off for this long...

The New York Times - Arts

Who else has given us this much for this long?

The Washington Post

"I've never been still for this long," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

We've been waiting for this a long, long time.

BBC

Johnson has a variety of defences for this long-written record.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's as good a mission statement as any for this long-running jam band.

The New York Times - Arts

All patients provided informed written consent for this long-term clinical and biological prospective study.

Acta Orthopaedica

Meanwhile, hopes are running high for this long-term underperformer.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for this long" to emphasize surprise or disbelief about the length of time something has continued. For example: "I can't believe they've been together for this long!"

Common error

Avoid using "for this long" in situations where the duration is expected or unremarkable. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "for this period" or "during this time" /s/during+this+time to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for this long" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. It often expresses surprise or emphasis regarding the length of time. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for this long" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the duration of an action or state, frequently conveying surprise or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, its slightly informal tone makes it less suitable for highly formal writing. When using "for this long", be mindful of the implied emphasis and consider whether a more neutral alternative like "during this time" is more appropriate. Overusing it in unremarkable situations can dilute its impact. With careful consideration, this phrase can be a powerful tool for adding nuance and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for such a duration

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the length of the time period.

for this extended period

This alternative emphasizes the continuous nature of the duration.

for this lengthy span

This alternative emphasizes the long nature of the time period

through this entire time

This alternative highlights the completeness of the time span.

during this prolonged timeframe

This alternative is formal and emphasizes a planned or expected duration.

for the entirety of this period

This emphasizes that the whole period is taken into account.

during this protracted interval

This alternative is highly formal and suggests a time period that is longer than expected.

over this considerable stretch

This alternative focuses on the perceived length of the time period.

through this vast timespan

This option is useful to highlight the long period.

during this expansive duration

This alternative is formal and emphasizes a long duration.

FAQs

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

"For this long" is used to indicate the duration of an event or state. For example, "I can't believe I've been waiting for this long."

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

It usually implies that the duration is surprisingly long or longer than expected. It often conveys a sense of disbelief or impatience.

Is it better to say "for so long" or "for this long"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "For so long" implies a duration that is memorable or significant in some way, while "for this long" emphasizes the speaker's perception of the length of time.

What are some alternatives to using "for this long" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "for this duration", "for this extended period", or "during this time".