have lasted for

USAGE SUMMARY

"have lasted for" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about how long something has gone on for. For example, "Those struggles have lasted for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is horrible, and I have lasted for five years".

The New York Times - Magazine

THE "new economy" seems to have lasted for three years.

The New York Times

Government subsidies there, however, have lasted for years.

The New York Times

It was hypothesised that the attack could only have lasted for "an hour" at most.

Independent

Financial markets barely blinked.Most minority governments have lasted for 18 months or so.

The Economist

I've had onions that have lasted for weeks in the fridge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If Verdi or Donizetti had set the same libretto, the opera would have lasted for days.

The Guardian - Music

The symptoms had to have lasted for at least three months.

The New Yorker

The disciplinary process involving McKenzie is understood to have lasted for more than a year.

The Guardian

"This is why practices such as FGM have lasted for thousands of years," she says.

The Guardian

The Sunni-Shia schism may have lasted for 14 centuries, but most of that time it has lain dormant.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of events or phenomena, use "have lasted for" to clearly indicate the length of time something has persisted. For example, "The negotiations have lasted for weeks."

Common error

Ensure that the timeframe used with "have lasted for" is clear. Vague references like "a while" or "some time" can reduce the impact of your statement. Be specific: "The drought has lasted for three years" is more effective than "The drought has lasted for a while".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have lasted for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from describing the length of conflicts to the duration of scientific effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have lasted for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase used to denote the duration of an event or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific discussions. Its usage is particularly prevalent in "News & Media" and "Science", where precision in conveying temporal information is key. For clarity, always ensure that the timeframe is well-defined, and consider alternatives like "have continued for" or "have persisted for" to subtly alter the emphasis of your statement. When in doubt, referring to the multitude of examples provided by Ludwig offers valuable insights into appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have continued for

Focuses on the continuous nature of the action, similar to "have lasted for", but emphasizes continuation rather than duration.

have persisted for

Implies a sense of overcoming obstacles or resistance, adding a layer of meaning not present in "have lasted for".

have endured for

Suggests surviving through difficult times or challenges, emphasizing resilience over simple duration.

have remained for

Highlights the state of staying in a particular condition over a period of time, different from the active sense of "have lasted for".

have stretched for

Emphasizes the length or extent of the duration, often implying that it was longer than expected.

have extended for

Focuses on the expansion of time, suggesting that the duration was increased or prolonged.

have spanned for

Highlights the reach or scope of the duration, indicating that it covered a certain period.

have gone on for

A more informal way of saying "have lasted for", suitable for casual conversations.

have existed for

Highlights the presence of something over a period of time, emphasizing its being rather than its activity.

have prevailed for

Suggests a state of being dominant or effective over a period, adding a sense of success or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "have lasted for" in a sentence?

Use "have lasted for" to describe the duration of an event or condition. For example, "The project "has lasted for" six months" or "The effects "have lasted for" several days".

What are some alternatives to "have lasted for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have continued for", "have persisted for", or "have endured for" to express a similar meaning with a slight nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has lasted for"?

Yes, "has lasted for" is grammatically correct when the subject is singular. For example, "The meeting "has lasted for" an hour". Use "have lasted for" with plural subjects.

What is the difference between "have lasted for" and "lasted"?

"Have lasted for" indicates a duration that extends to the present or has relevance to the present, while "lasted" refers to a completed duration in the past. For example, "The storm "has lasted for" three days" (and is still ongoing), versus "The concert "lasted" two hours" (and is now over).