it lasts for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lasts for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing the duration of something. For example, "This online course lasts for 10 weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It lasts for three years.

The Guardian - Books

And it lasts for months without spoiling.

The New York Times - Food

It lasts for more than an hour.

The Guardian

Sometimes it lasts for one's lifetime.

The New Yorker

It lasts for about five minutes.

The Guardian

"It lasts for a limited time and nothing else".

The New York Times

It lasts for six hours, then you need more.

The Guardian

I buy a big jar and it lasts for ages.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It lasts for an exhausting, exhilarating hour and a quarter.

The Guardian

This time, it lasts for a head-wrecking 10 minutes.

The Guardian - Music

Averaged out, it lasts for about 10 seconds.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying how long something lasts, be precise with your units of time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years) to provide clarity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using the past tense when describing the general or potential duration of something. For example, instead of saying "it lasted for five hours", when referring to a general condition, use the present tense: "it lasts for five hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it lasts for" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the duration or extent of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing how it is used to specify the length of time that an event, condition, or object persists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it lasts for" is a versatile and commonly used verbal phrase for specifying duration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a wide range of contexts. The phrase is found frequently in news, media, and wiki sources, and less so in formal business settings. When using "it lasts for", it's crucial to be precise about the units of time and avoid using the past tense incorrectly. For alternatives, consider phrases like "it endures for" or "its duration is" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it endures for

Replaces "lasts" with "endures", emphasizing the ability to withstand or remain.

it spans for

Substitutes "lasts" with "spans", focusing on the extent of time covered.

it continues for

Emphasizes the ongoing nature, using "continues" instead of "lasts".

it persists for

Replaces "lasts" with "persists", highlighting the steadfast continuation.

it extends for

Focuses on the reach in time, using "extends" in place of "lasts".

it holds for

Implies validity or applicability over a period, using "holds" instead of "lasts".

its duration is

Changes the sentence structure to focus on "duration" rather than the verb "lasts".

it remains for

Emphasizes the state of remaining over time, substituting "lasts" with "remains".

it goes on for

Uses a more colloquial phrasing, replacing "lasts" with "goes on".

the period is

Shifts the emphasis to the defined period, using a noun-based structure.

FAQs

How do I use "it lasts for" in a sentence?

Use "it lasts for" to describe the duration of an event, process, or the lifespan of an object. For example: "The concert "it lasts for" two hours", or "The battery "it lasts for" five years".

What can I say instead of "it lasts for"?

You can use alternatives like "it endures for", "it continues for", or "its duration is" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it lasts during" instead of "it lasts for"?

While "it lasts during" might sound similar, "it lasts for" is the more grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the duration of something. "During" specifies when something occurs, while "for" specifies how long.

What's the difference between "it lasts for" and "it remains for"?

"It lasts for" specifies a duration. "It remains for" indicates a condition or state persists for a period. For example, "The warranty "it lasts for" one year" (duration), versus "It remains for us to decide" (a task or decision remains).