in so long

USAGE SUMMARY

"in so long" is a grammatically correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a long period of time, often with the specific amount of time being somewhat vague. For example, you might say, "I haven't seen them in so long!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, this was the first time I dug in so long in 10 years of marriage.

Huffington Post

"I ain't been in so long, man.

The Guardian - Music

"I haven't seen it in so long".

The New York Times

And I haven't sung in so long".

The Guardian - Film

I haven't watched TV in so long.

The Guardian - Sport

October 9th — Can't believe I haven't written in so long!

The New Yorker

The first real comfort I've known in so long.

The New Yorker

I haven't been to the movies in so long.

The New York Times

And I haven't sung in so long". Why not?

The Guardian - Film

And I just haven't been there in so long".

The Guardian - Sport

My God, I haven't grouped in so long.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in so long" to express a sense of elapsed time, particularly when emphasizing that an event hasn't occurred or something hasn't been experienced for a considerable duration. For example: "I haven't felt this relaxed "in so long"."

Common error

Avoid using "in so long" when referring to a very specific or short duration. The phrase implies a significant passage of time, so using it in contexts where the time frame is brief can sound awkward. Instead of saying "I haven't eaten "in so long", just a few hours," use a more appropriate expression such as "I haven't eaten since lunch."

Linguistic Context

"In so long" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the duration or extent of time related to the action. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. It commonly appears after verbs like 'been', 'seen', or 'felt', specifying a considerable lapse of time since a particular event or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in so long" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase to indicate a considerable amount of elapsed time since a particular event or experience. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it adds a layer of emotional weight to statements, conveying a sense of nostalgia or surprise. When using "in so long", it's important to consider the implied duration and avoid using it in reference to short or specific time frames. Alternatives such as "for such a long time" or "after a prolonged absence" can be used to add variety to your writing. Mastering the use of "in so long" and its nuances can help writers express themselves more effectively and with greater emotional depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for such a long time

Changes the preposition and uses a more explicit quantifier.

after such a long period

Replaces "in" with "after" and uses "period" to emphasize the duration.

in such a lengthy duration

Substitutes "long" with "lengthy" and uses "duration" for emphasis.

for a considerable time

Replaces "so long" with "considerable time" to indicate a notable duration.

in an extended period

Uses "extended" to highlight the length of the period.

after a prolonged absence

Focuses on the absence as the main duration.

for many years

Uses a general measure to indicate a long duration.

in what seems like forever

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of a long time.

after ages

An idiomatic expression for a very long time.

in a distant past

Focuses on the remoteness of the past.

FAQs

How can I use "in so long" in a sentence?

Use "in so long" to indicate that a considerable amount of time has passed since something happened or was experienced. For example, you might say, "It's been "in so long" since I've seen my family."

What are some alternatives to using "in so long"?

Alternatives to "in so long" include phrases like "for such a long time", "after a prolonged absence", or "for many years", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "in so long" formal or informal?

"In so long" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in spoken or written communication that isn't highly academic or technical.

What's the difference between "in so long" and "for so long"?

While both phrases refer to an extended duration, "in so long" often implies a sense of absence or a lapse of time since an event, while "for so long" simply refers to a duration. For example, "I haven't seen her "in so long"" suggests a period of separation, whereas "I've waited "for so long"" emphasizes the duration of waiting.