has long since left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has long since left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something departed a long time ago and is no longer present. Example: "The train has long since left the station, and we missed our chance to board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The ship has long since left the port.

The Guardian - Sport

He has long since left behind his baggy-panted past to become a legit actor.

The New York Times

Duke has long since left town, after losing to Indiana, 74-73, Thursday night.

The New York Times - Sports

They may be advertising defunct products, or identifying a company that has long since left a building.

The New York Times - Arts

The business card has long since left the realm of the office Rolodex and entered the world of the Web.

The New York Times

Mr Walesa, whose election to the presidency epitomised Poland's transition to democracy, has long since left the political mainstream.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The north is home to towns and cities that were built around industries that have long since left.

The Guardian

That train has long-since left the station.

Huffington Post

Most of Doel's former residents have long-since left, but a handful refused to leave and they continue to fight for their home.

BBC

Players and coaches had long since left the building.

The New York Times - Sports

The central characters then have long since left the script.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has long since left" to clearly indicate that someone or something departed at a distant point in the past. This phrase emphasizes that the departure is not recent.

Common error

Avoid using present tense when employing "has long since left". This phrase refers to a past event, so ensure the surrounding context uses appropriate past tense markers for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has long since left" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a completed action in the past with an emphasis on the duration since that action occurred. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it describing people leaving positions, opportunities being missed, and industries departing areas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has long since left" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a past departure or abandonment. Ludwig confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, emphasizing that the departure occurred a significant time ago. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards the formal side. Related phrases include "is long gone" and "departed a long time ago". When using the phrase, ensure the context is consistent with the past tense and avoid using it in place of present tense verbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is long gone

Emphasizes that the subject is no longer present and is unlikely to return.

departed a long time ago

Focuses on the act of departing with emphasis on the time elapsed since the action.

abandoned long ago

Emphasizes the act of abandonment with an emphasis on the time elapsed since the action.

long since went away

Highlights that the subject went away a while ago.

left a while back

More informal alternative, emphasizing the past departure.

vanished long ago

Implies a disappearance, suggesting the subject is no longer visible or present.

exited some time back

Focuses on the action of exiting, with an emphasis on the timing.

withdrawn in the past

Highlights a previous withdrawal or removal from a place or situation.

disappeared into the past

Suggests a complete vanishing, indicating no trace remains.

relinquished a while ago

Emphasizes the act of giving up or abandoning something in the past.

FAQs

What does "has long since left" mean?

It means that someone or something departed or disappeared a considerable time ago. It emphasizes that the departure happened in the distant past.

What can I say instead of "has long since left"?

You can use alternatives like "is long gone", "departed a long time ago", or "abandoned long ago" depending on the context.

How do I use "has long since left" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something is no longer present, emphasizing that their departure occurred a while ago. For example, "The opportunity has long since left, and we must move on."

Is "has long since left" formal or informal?

"Has long since left" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, shorter alternatives like "is long gone" might be preferred.