how long now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how long now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire about the duration of time that has passed or is remaining until a certain event occurs. Example: "How long now until the meeting starts?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

For how long now?

The New York Times

"This is what they've been hyping for how long now?

The Washington Post

How long now before we hear official word of Toy Story 4?

The Guardian - Film

How long now before Fred Thompson pulls out of the Republican primary race?

The Guardian

How long now until we cross the threshold and create a robot that thinks?

MIT Technology Review

They've been carrying the majority of our offense for how long now?" Since Jan . 5 the day Muckler put Hlavac and Dvorak with Nedved to form the line.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

His father had given him the journal shortly after he left — how long ago now?

The New Yorker

Brent Wadden: How Long Is Now Painting and weaving come together to create abstract geometries.

The Guardian - Arts

He is also a non-exec at Goldman Sachs, but for how long is now questionable.

The Guardian - Business

"I don't know exactly how long right now, but I aim to be back at the end of this year.

Vice

How long will he now last?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how long now" to express impatience or anticipation, especially when waiting for an event that has been long in the making.

Common error

Avoid using "how long now" in contexts where a precise measurement of time is needed. It is better suited for expressing a general sense of duration or anticipation.

Linguistic Context

How long now functions as an interrogative phrase, typically used to inquire about the duration of time remaining or elapsed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how long now" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase that inquires about the duration of time, often expressing anticipation or impatience. According to Ludwig, it's usable in various writing contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "What is the expected duration?". The phrase's versatility and clear meaning contribute to its frequent use in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how long has it been

Emphasizes the elapsed time since a past event.

how much time is left

Focuses on the remaining time until an event or deadline.

how much longer will it take

Specifically asks about the time needed to complete something.

how long until then

Refers to the remaining time until a specific future point.

what is the wait time now

Directly inquires about the time one needs to wait.

what is the duration now

More formal and emphasizes the entire length of time.

what's the timeline now

Focuses on the schedule or expected duration of an event.

what's the current timeframe

More formal and business-oriented, focusing on a specific period.

how far along are we

Asks about the progress made in a process or task.

when will it be finished

Focuses on completion time rather than duration.

FAQs

How can I use "how long now" in a sentence?

You can use "how long now" to ask about the time remaining until something happens, as in, "How long now until the movie starts?". It's often used to express anticipation or impatience.

What's a more formal way to say "how long now"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "What is the expected duration?" or "Could you provide an estimated timeframe?".

What can I say instead of "how long now" to sound less impatient?

To sound less impatient, try phrases like "How much longer will it be?" or "Could you give me an update on the timing?"

Is "how long now" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how long now" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in informal contexts. While it might not be appropriate for highly formal writing, it's perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation and many types of writing.