it perished long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it perished long" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that something has been gone for a long time, but the phrasing is awkward and incomplete. Example: "The ancient civilization it perished long ago, leaving behind only ruins."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it perished long ago.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the 21st century, however, the topic has cooled down, and there is growing agreement among serious scholars that both libraries had both perished long before the Arab conquest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At this time of year, a whiff of mist hung in the forest — from the warmth and moisture of the air, the breath of developing plants, and the decay of leaves that had perished long ago.

The New Yorker

His insights into the nature of love don't apply just to a world that perished long ago; they're timeless, or will last as long as we are stirred by stories of disastrous passion.

The Guardian - Books

Even though Neanderthals perished long ago, the surprising retrieval of intact DNA, the second such sample to be recovered, has set biologists speculating that with further finds the genetics of this extinct human species could become quite well understood.

The New York Times

It wasn't easy, she wrote at eighty-five, "to leave the present behind," but she managed to write an enthrallingly disingenuous seven-hundred-page memoir, taking her epigraph from a complaint of Einstein's: "So many things have been written about me, masses of insolent lies and inventions, that I would have perished long ago, had I paid any attention".

The New Yorker

In a time when music fans are long past lamenting an uninspired music industry, the uncalculated sounds of outsiders are perhaps the last outpost for those jaded listeners, who yearn for a sonic Shangri-La thought to have perished long ago.

The New York Times - Books

It's a wonder Dickens didn't explode and perish long before his death in 1870, at age 58.

The New York Times

It perished in the process.

The New York Times

In an attempt to break shackles Pietersen hacked Vuvraj Singh over long on for six but he perished at long off attempting a similar shot off Harbhajan Singh.

Independent

Although belief in a long-ago Eden's literal existence survived, most agreed with Martin Luther that it had perished in the flood.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using more common and clearer alternatives such as "it died long ago" or "it vanished long ago" for better clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid directly translating expressions word-for-word from other languages, as it can lead to unnatural phrasing in English. For example, "it perished long" is not the most idiomatic way to express that something ended a long time ago.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a statement indicating that something ceased to exist a long time ago. It uses "perished", which implies a complete and often irreversible end. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not considered grammatically correct in modern English and should be replaced by better alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it perished long" is technically understandable, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It suggests that more common and natural alternatives such as "it died long ago" or "it vanished long ago" should be used instead. The phrase surfaces mainly in news, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. Therefore, adopting simpler, more conventional phrasing will enhance clarity and avoid awkwardness. Opting for alternatives ensures effective and easily understood communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it died a long time ago

Replaces "perished" with the more common word "died" and retains the temporal aspect.

it vanished long ago

Substitutes "perished" with "vanished", emphasizing disappearance.

it disappeared a long time ago

Uses "disappeared" for a straightforward expression of something no longer existing.

it ceased to exist long ago

Emphasizes the cessation of existence.

it ended long ago

Offers a basic and direct way of saying something concluded in the past.

it was lost long ago

Implies the subject was misplaced or forgotten over time.

it faded away long ago

Suggests a gradual disappearance.

it was no more long ago

A more emphatic way to say something doesn't exist anymore.

it had been gone for ages

Uses an idiom to express something has been missing for a very long time.

it became extinct a long time ago

Applies specifically to things that are no longer in existence, such as species.

FAQs

What does "it perished long" mean?

The phrase "it perished long" means that something ended or disappeared a long time ago. It's not a very common or grammatically sound phrase. More common alternatives include "it died long ago" or "it vanished long ago".

How can I use "it perished long" in a sentence?

While grammatically awkward, you could use "it perished long" in contexts where you want to emphasize that something ended a significant amount of time ago. However, consider using clearer alternatives like "it died long ago" or "it vanished long ago".

What can I say instead of "it perished long"?

You can use alternatives like "it died long ago", "it vanished long ago", or "it disappeared a long time ago" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it perished long" or "it died long ago"?

"It died long ago" is more grammatically correct and commonly used than "it perished long". The latter sounds somewhat archaic or unnatural to modern English speakers.