has long elapsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has long elapsed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or moment. Example: "Since the last meeting, a considerable amount of time has long elapsed, and we need to catch up on our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For each possible symptom for that cancer site, it asked the respondent how long before they saw their GP or practice nurse they had had their symptoms for, and how long elapsed between presenting their symptoms and referral.

BMC Family Practice

Meanwhile, a virtual eternity has elapsed and those two data sets have long outlived their usefulness.

The New York Times - Tech

It was felt that too long had elapsed in both cases between the German warships being spotted and the arrival of the strike force, and to rectify matters, it was decided to carry out reconnaissance in force, with formations of bombers being sent out over the North Sea to find and attack German warships.

Wikipedia

2 3 Over-diagnosis can be estimated in a randomised screening trial when a sufficiently long period has elapsed from the cessation of screening that is, when all cancers should have become clinically apparent in both trial arms.

British Medical Journal

A long time has elapsed since Ukraine, with Poland, was awarded the football tournament in 2007: the intervening years have seen it not only build stadiums, but also lapse from a struggling but hopeful democracy into a darker place.

The Economist

A long time has elapsed, Humphry!" An even longer time would elapse before the BBC finally showed any of the footage they filmed.

The Guardian

This method is a useful tool in assessing occupational exposure to NFMP, even when a long period has elapsed since last exposure, and may be used in studying etiology of some respiratory diseases.

Environmental Health Perspectives

When recovering their caches, they tended to search for wax worms if only a short time had passed, but switched to the less-preferred peanuts if a long time had elapsed since caching.

Plosone

When a long time had elapsed with no word, I rang my GP to find that the original doctor was long gone and no one had taken up my file, which had been lying in some disused in-tray with the result for weeks.

The Guardian

Because of the long period that has elapsed since the death penalty was imposed, however, neither men faces the hangman's noose.

The Guardian

Long intervals have generally elapsed between al-Qaeda's bigger operations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has long elapsed", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting point from which time is being measured. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has long been elapsing" which, while grammatically possible, sounds awkward and is rarely used. Stick to "has long elapsed" or rephrase for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has long elapsed" functions as a stative construction, indicating that a period of time has passed since a specific event or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that this is used to establish a duration.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "has long elapsed" indicates that a considerable amount of time has passed since a particular event. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, even if it might not be commonly used. Its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for various writing scenarios. Consider alternative phrases like "a considerable time has passed" or "much time has transpired" to offer subtle differences in tone and emphasis. Ensure clarity by explicitly defining the starting point when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable time has passed

This alternative replaces "long elapsed" with "considerable time has passed", emphasizing the duration.

a significant duration has gone by

This alternative uses "significant duration" instead of "long" and "gone by" instead of "elapsed", changing the specific wording while maintaining the core meaning.

much time has transpired

This option replaces "long elapsed" with "much time has transpired", providing a more formal and concise alternative.

a lengthy period has unfolded

The phrase uses "lengthy period" instead of "long", and "unfolded" in place of "elapsed", creating a more descriptive image of time progressing.

ages have gone by

This alternative uses a hyperbole to express that a lot of time passed

years have slipped away

This option employs a metaphor where years "slipped away", connoting a gradual passing of time.

a great while has passed

This replaces "long elapsed" with "great while has passed", a slightly more archaic but still understandable phrase.

an extended interval has occurred

This alternative uses "extended interval" to replace "long", and "occurred" instead of "elapsed", offering a more formal tone.

time has marched on

This alternative employs the metaphor of time "marching on" to convey the passage of time.

a long while is over

This alternative uses a more simplified vocabulary compared to the initial phrase.

FAQs

What does the phrase "has long elapsed" mean?

The phrase "has long elapsed" means that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or point in time. It emphasizes the duration of the time that has gone by.

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

You can use "has long elapsed" to describe a situation where a considerable duration has passed. For instance: "Since the initial proposal, a considerable time "has passed", and the project's scope has evolved significantly."

What are some alternatives to "has long elapsed"?

Alternatives to "has long elapsed" include "a considerable time has passed", "a significant duration has gone by", or "much time has transpired", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "has long been elapsed"?

While grammatically plausible, "has long been elapsed" is not commonly used and can sound awkward. Sticking to "has long elapsed" or rephrasing with alternatives like "a lengthy period has unfolded" provides better clarity and a more natural sound.