it was longstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was longstanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has existed for a long time or has been in place for an extended period. Example: "The conflict between the two nations was longstanding, rooted in historical grievances that dated back centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Asked about this activity, a spokesman for GCHQ said it was "longstanding policy that we do not comment on intelligence matters", but the official maintained the agency "takes its obligations under the law very seriously".

The Guardian

A spokesman for the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said it was longstanding government practice not to confirm or comment on reports of individual acts of self harm, but there was no basis to the claims of self harm or attempted suicide.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A GCHQ spokesman said: "It is longstanding practice that we do not comment on intelligence matters".

Independent

A spokesman for GCHQ said: "It is longstanding policy that we do not comment on intelligence matters.

The Guardian

A spokesman for Asio said: "It is longstanding practice that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) does not comment on operational matters.

The Guardian

"It is longstanding practice that we do not comment on individual exclusion cases unless they are made public by the excluded individual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If a lawmaker is about to become the target of a national security investigation, it is longstanding government policy to notify the Congressional leaders of both parties, giving them the opportunity to restrict that lawmaker's access to sensitive information.

The New York Times

Some of it is new, some of it is longstanding.

Forbes

It is longstanding policy that we do not comment on intelligence matters.

TechCrunch

"There's a perception that the NFL has this huge crime problem and that it's longstanding.

Huffington Post

Yet, piece by piece, the city's image is changing, and it's longstanding creative heritage is becoming a central part of the conversation regarding the future of Dundee.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was longstanding" to emphasize the duration or traditional aspect of a policy, practice, or issue. This phrase works well in formal writing where you need to highlight the historical context of something.

Common error

Avoid using "it was longstanding" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "it has been around for a while" might be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was longstanding" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a particular situation, policy, or practice has existed for a significant period of time. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was longstanding" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something that has existed for a considerable duration. According to Ludwig, this phrase works best in formal contexts, such as news reports, official statements, and professional communications, to highlight the historical background of a policy, practice, or issue. While it effectively conveys the duration of something, it should be used sparingly in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been long-established

Replaces "was" with "had been" and uses "long-established" for emphasis on its established nature.

it was a long-standing tradition

Specifies that the longstanding thing is a tradition.

it was of long duration

Uses a more formal tone to emphasize the length of time.

it had a long history

Focuses on the historical aspect of the matter.

it was an established practice

Highlights the element of 'practice' that has existed for long time.

it was a long-term situation

Emphasizes the situation's persistence over an extended period.

it was a chronic issue

Implies that the issue is both longstanding and problematic.

it was age-old

Emphasizes the oldness of something, often used for customs or stories.

it was time-honored

Suggests that something is respected because it is longstanding.

it was deeply rooted

Implies that something is firmly established and difficult to change.

FAQs

How can I use "it was longstanding" in a sentence?

You can use "it was longstanding" to describe a policy, tradition, or problem that has existed for a considerable period. For instance, "it was a longstanding policy" or "it was a longstanding issue".

What phrases are similar to "it was longstanding"?

Similar phrases include "it was long-established", "it had a long history", and "it was a long-standing tradition".

When is it appropriate to use "it was longstanding"?

It is most appropriate in formal writing or when emphasizing the historical nature or duration of something. News reports, academic papers, and business communications are suitable contexts.

What's the difference between "it was longstanding" and "it is longstanding"?

"It was longstanding" refers to something that was established or existed for a long time in the past, while "it is longstanding" indicates that something is currently established and has existed for a long time. The choice depends on whether the subject is still current.