how long it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how long it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the duration of an event or situation in the past. Example: "I still remember how long it was since we last met; it felt like ages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's how long it was".

The New York Times - Sports

Who knows how long it was there?

The New York Times - Magazine

I don't know how long it was.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't know how long it was — weeks?

The New York Times

We didn't even know how long it was.

The Guardian

You've been here how long?" It was the same when we lived in Paris.

The New Yorker

The hospital did this to hide how long it was making patients wait for care.

The New Yorker

The news was easy to miss, unless you knew how long it was in the making.

The New York Times - Sports

The scientists were increasingly angered at how long it was taking to fend them off.

The Guardian

I don't know how long it was before I found my way to Dark They Were.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

How long it is.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how long it was", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are referring to in terms of duration or length. For example, specify the event or activity you are measuring the duration of.

Common error

Avoid using "how long it was" without providing a clear reference point. Without context, it can be unclear what the duration or length is being measured against, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how long it was" functions as a relative clause, often serving as a noun complement or an adverbial modifier indicating duration. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in various contexts to express or inquire about the length of time that has passed or that something lasted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how long it was" functions as a relative clause expressing duration in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across different registers, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. The phrase's versatility and commonality make it a valuable component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the duration of that period

Similar to "length of the period" but slightly more succinct.

what the duration was

Replaces "how long" with a more formal equivalent, focusing on the duration.

what the timeframe was

Similar to "duration", but refers to a specific block of time.

the length of the period

Emphasizes the length of a specific period of time.

the time frame it covered

Highlights the period something encompassed or included.

the span of time involved

Highlights the time period that was affected or included.

the amount of time elapsed

Focuses on the time that has passed since a particular event.

the period it extended for

Indicates the amount of time for which something was in effect.

the extent of its duration

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the length of something.

the overall time scale

Referring to the overall duration of a project or task.

FAQs

How can I use "how long it was" in a sentence?

You can use "how long it was" to inquire about or express the duration of a past event or situation. For example, "I can't believe "how long it was" since we last spoke."

What are some alternatives to "how long it was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "what the duration was", "the length of the period", or "the amount of time elapsed", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "how long it was"?

Yes, the phrase "how long it was" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to refer to a past duration.

How does the context affect the meaning of "how long it was"?

The context clarifies what duration is being referenced. Without context, the phrase can be vague. For instance, "I forgot "how long it was" going to take" needs a clear reference to the task or event.