has long ceased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has long ceased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has stopped or come to an end for a significant period of time. Example: "The factory has long ceased operations due to financial difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moscow has long ceased to have a certain aesthetic.

The Guardian

Dublin's tiger economy has long ceased to roar.

The Guardian

Aluminum has long ceased to be the industrial king of the Columbia River.

Stanford University

University instruction has long ceased to be bounded by the four walls of a physical classroom.

Stanford University

Tight monetary policy has long ceased to stand in the way of economic growth.

The New York Times

The issue has long ceased to be how we can decisively expunge the Taliban — we can't.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has long ceased to be, its promoters argued, a rich man's game.

The New York Times

Thus, legal immigration has long ceased to be a major cause of population growth.

Britannica

This has long ceased to be theatre; it has turned into something else.

The New Yorker

The report argues that the military occupation has long ceased to be about ensuring security.

The Guardian

The office of Lord High Constable has long ceased to be hereditary or of permanent status in England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, provide context by using specific dates or periods of time. Instead of just stating "that technology has long ceased to be used", clarify by stating "that technology has long ceased to be used since the early 2000s".

Common error

Avoid using "has long ceased" when simply stating that something has stopped recently. This phrase emphasizes a significant duration since the cessation. If it has only stopped recently, use phrases such as "has just stopped" or "has recently ended" to reflect the correct timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has long ceased" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating that a certain condition or activity has stopped and remained inactive for a considerable time. As indicated by Ludwig, it describes a past event with an emphasis on the duration of its inactivity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has long ceased" effectively communicates that a certain activity or condition is a thing of the past. The examples analyzed by Ludwig indicate its prevalence in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within news, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. It's crucial to use this phrase when emphasizing the duration of inactivity, differentiating it from simpler statements of non-existence. Remember that Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's widespread usage and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has long stopped

Replaces "ceased" with "stopped", a more common and slightly less formal synonym. The meaning remains largely the same.

has ended long ago

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize the passage of time since the ending, offering a slightly different emphasis.

is no longer

A simpler and more direct way of stating that something is no longer the case. Loses the emphasis on the duration.

is no more

A concise and somewhat dramatic way to express that something has ended or ceased to exist.

is a thing of the past

An idiomatic expression indicating that something belongs to a previous time, focusing on its historical nature.

is long gone

A more informal and emphatic way of saying something has disappeared or ceased to exist.

has become obsolete

Suggests that something is out of date or no longer in use, often due to newer developments.

has faded away

Implies a gradual disappearance or decline over time, adding a sense of impermanence.

is now defunct

A more formal term indicating that something is no longer functioning or in existence.

has passed into history

Highlights that something is part of the historical record, emphasizing its completed nature.

FAQs

How can I use "has long ceased" in a sentence?

Use "has long ceased" to indicate that something stopped or ended a considerable time ago. For example, "That practice "has long ceased" to be relevant in modern society".

What are some alternatives to "has long ceased"?

You can use alternatives like "has long stopped", "has ended long ago", or "is no longer" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has long ceased to exist" redundant?

While ""has long ceased"" already implies that something has stopped existing, adding "to exist" can emphasize the complete termination of something. It depends on the desired level of emphasis and clarity.

What's the difference between "has long ceased" and "no longer exists"?

"Has long ceased" emphasizes the duration since something stopped, whereas "no longer exists" simply states that something does not exist now. The former implies a historical context or a gradual decline.