for this long time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for this long time" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when referring to a duration that has been significant or extended, but it should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "I have been waiting for this long time, and I hope to hear back soon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But for this long time fan at least, the force feels weak — and getting weaker.

TechCrunch

These two land use types were formed 25 years ago, and have been cultivated for this long time without fallowing.

Environmental Systems Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was depressing for this long-time watcher of the Middle East to watch one Republican candidate after another heap completely uncritical praise on Israel and set the Palestinians' grievances and aspirations entirely at naught.

The Economist

What was it about Harding's make-up that provided the impetus for this long-time extramarital affair (it lasted over 15 years)?

Huffington Post

"But I've been waiting for this a long time.

The New York Times - Magazine

She's been preparing for this a long time.

Independent

"I've been working for this for a long time.

The New York Times

I've been waiting for this for a long time.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

"She may have been searching for an answer for this for a long time," Spiera said.

The New Yorker

"Everyone has been preparing for this for a long time and it's a big draw.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives like "for such a long time" or "for a very long time" to avoid ambiguity and ensure better communication.

Common error

Avoid using "for this long time" in formal writing; it can sound awkward. Instead, use more common phrases that native English speakers use. For example, “I’ve been waiting "for such a long time".”

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for this long time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating duration. Despite its usage in some contexts, Ludwig AI marks it as not correct in standard written English. For instance, it specifies that it could be used for a duration that has been significant or extended, but should be rephrased for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "for this long time" appears in some written contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as not correct in standard written English. It's primarily used to emphasize duration, but its non-standard grammar makes it less ideal for formal writing. Grammatically sound alternatives such as ""for such a long time"" or "for a very long time" are generally preferred. Its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news and media sources, but avoiding it in formal contexts will lead to clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for such a long time

Replaces "this" with "such a", which is a more common and grammatically sound construction.

for a very long time

Adds "very" to emphasize the length of the duration, which is a common way to express prolonged periods.

for an extended period

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "long time" with "extended period" which suggests a continuous duration.

for this extended duration

Replaces "long time" with "extended duration", offering a slightly more precise and formal tone.

for a considerable time

Emphasizes the substantial length of the duration by using the adjective "considerable".

for all this time

Shifts the focus to the entire duration, implying a sense of culmination or reflection.

during this lengthy period

Uses "lengthy" to describe the period, suggesting a prolonged and perhaps tedious duration.

throughout this long duration

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the duration, indicating something happening from beginning to end.

over this extended timeframe

Substitutes "timeframe" for "time", adding a sense of a defined and measurable period.

for the entirety of this time

Highlights the completeness of the duration, indicating that nothing was left out or missed.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "for this long time"?

Consider using phrases like ""for such a long time"", "for a very long time", or "for an extended period" as more standard and grammatically correct options.

Is "for this long time" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "for this long time" isn't considered standard English. It's better to opt for clearer alternatives like ""for such a long time"".

When is it appropriate to use "for this long time"?

It's rarely the best choice. In most contexts, ""for such a long time"" or "for a very long time" provide better clarity and are more grammatically sound.

How can I improve my sentence that uses "for this long time"?

Replace it with a more common and grammatically accepted phrase. For example, instead of "I've been waiting for this long time", say "I've been waiting for a very long time".