it would last

USAGE SUMMARY

"it would last" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something will remain in effect for a certain period of time. Example: "We thought our relationship would last forever, but it wasn't meant to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would last, one hoped, forever.

The New York Times

It would last forever.

The Guardian - Business

It would last three days.

The New York Times - Sports

It would last a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Few predicted it would last this long.

The New York Times

We all thought it would last forever".

The New York Times

It would last for 12 hours.

The Guardian - Sport

Who knew whether it would last?

The New York Times

Mr Hoon said it would last "weeks rather than months".

The Economist

I didn't think it would last more than a year.

The New York Times - Arts

But his supporters didn't believe it would last.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “it would last” to describe the expected duration of events, relationships, or physical objects. Ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it will last" when referring to a past expectation or prediction. Use "it would last" for hypothetical situations or past predictions, maintaining consistency in tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “it would last” functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a conditional or expected duration of an event, object, or state. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “it would last” is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express expectations, predictions, or hypothetical durations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent application across diverse contexts, with a notable presence in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its consistent usage and authoritative sourcing underscore its reliability and communicative effectiveness. When writing, remember to maintain tense consistency and be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would continue

Focuses on the ongoing nature of something, rather than its termination point.

it would endure

Emphasizes the ability to withstand hardship or challenges over time.

it would persist

Highlights the stubborn or unchanging nature of something over a period.

it would hold out

Implies resisting some force or pressure and remaining functional.

it would remain

Suggests that something stays in a particular state or place.

it was destined to last

Adds a sense of fate or inevitability to the duration.

it was meant to last

Similar to 'destined', but implies intention or purpose.

it would keep going

Focuses on the continuous motion or progress of something.

it would stand the test of time

Emphasizes the long-term durability and value of something.

it would not end

Focuses on the absence of termination, implying indefinite continuation.

FAQs

How can I use “it would last” in a sentence?

You can use “it would last” to describe how long something was expected to continue, such as, "Many thought the truce "it would last" a month, and now it's been five months."

What's the difference between "it will last" and “it would last”?

"It will last" describes something you expect to continue into the future. “It would last” often refers to a past expectation or hypothetical scenario. For example, "They thought "it will last" for years," versus "They thought "it would last" a few months."

What are some alternatives to using “it would last”?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it would continue", "it would endure", or "it would persist" to convey a similar meaning.

Is “it would last” grammatically correct?

Yes, “it would last” is grammatically correct. It is used to express a conditional or past expectation about the duration of something.