have long ceased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have long ceased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has stopped happening for a significant amount 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

30 human-written examples

Streetlights have long ceased to work.

The Economist

As far as my beliefs are concerned, I have long ceased to take things for granted.

The New York Times

Today, all her husbands are dead, and the terrible fights with my mother have long ceased.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But then the Ritzy cinema workers have long ceased relying on hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Labor leadership row is a farce the public have long ceased to find funny.

The Guardian - Opinion

Justice and objective truth have long ceased to have any meaning for him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 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

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

Consider the context when using this phrase; it is most effective when discussing trends, practices, or states that were once common but are no longer prevalent.

Common error

Ensure the verb tense agrees with the subject and that the auxiliary verb "have" is used correctly. Avoid mixing tenses that would imply a different timeframe.

Linguistic Context

"Have long ceased" functions as a verb phrase indicating the termination of an action or state that occurred a considerable time ago. It emphasizes the duration of the cessation, conveying that something has been discontinued for an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms the proper usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have long ceased" effectively communicates that an action or state ended a significant time ago. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and found across various reputable sources, particularly in news, academic and encyclopedia contexts. It conveys a neutral, slightly formal tone and emphasizes duration. Alternatives like "have stopped happening" or "are no longer in effect" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. Therefore, use "have long ceased" to precisely indicate that something has been discontinued for an extended period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have stopped happening

Focuses on the action of stopping, emphasizing the cessation of an event or process.

are no longer in effect

Implies that a rule, law, or agreement is terminated and not valid anymore.

are a thing of the past

Indicates that something belongs to a previous time and is not relevant now.

have come to an end

Highlights the completion or termination of something, often with a sense of finality.

no longer exist

States that something is not present or available anymore.

have become obsolete

Suggests that something is outdated and no longer useful or needed.

have faded into history

Implies that something has disappeared from memory or is no longer remembered.

are now defunct

Indicates that something is no longer functioning or operational.

have been discontinued

Emphasizes that something was stopped intentionally, like a product or service.

have been terminated

Suggests a formal or official ending to something, such as a contract or agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "have long ceased" to indicate that something stopped happening a significant time ago. For example, "The practice of sending handwritten letters "has long ceased" to be the primary form of communication".

What can I say instead of "have long ceased"?

Alternatives include "have stopped happening", "are no longer in effect", or "are a thing of the past" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "had long ceased" instead of "have long ceased"?

The choice between "had" and "have" depends on the time frame you're referring to. "Had long ceased" is used when discussing something that stopped before a specific point in the past, while "have long ceased" refers to something that stopped before the present.

What's the difference between "have long ceased" and "have recently ceased"?

"Have long ceased" indicates something ended a significant time ago, while "have recently ceased" implies it stopped not long ago. The former emphasizes duration, the latter emphasizes recency.