last for

USAGE SUMMARY

'last for' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to imply that something has endured or existed for a certain length of time. For example, "The family vacation lasted for two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conversation can last for hours.

The New York Times - Travel

Both last for 15 years.

The New York Times

PATENTS last for 20 years.

The Economist

Success can last for years.

The New York Times

They may last for months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The sunsets last for hours.

The New York Times - Books

Neither will last for ever.

The Economist

Our floods last for months.

The New Yorker

The fun didn't last for long.

The New York Times - Travel

They last for a very long time.

The New York Times

The debate will last for three hours.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of events, choose "last for" to clearly indicate how long something continues. For instance, "The meeting will last for two hours" effectively conveys the meeting's length.

Common error

Avoid using "last" without the preposition "for" when indicating duration. Saying "The movie lasted two hours" is acceptable, but when using "last" as a verb, include "for": "The movie will last for two hours."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the duration or extent of something. It describes how long something continues to exist, function, or be effective. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

22%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last for" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that describes the duration or extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears in a wide range of contexts, from News & Media to Science and Wiki sources. It's important to use the preposition "for" correctly when specifying duration with "last". While there are alternative phrases like "continue for" or "endure for", "last for" provides a clear and concise way to indicate how long something will continue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue for

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of something, similar to lasting, but with a focus on the continuous action.

endure for

This phrase implies a sense of survival or persistence over a period, adding a layer of resilience not always present in "last for".

persist for

Similar to 'endure', but focuses more on maintaining a state or condition over time.

extend for

Focuses on the reach or scope something covers over a period, rather than just its duration.

hold out for

Implies resisting or maintaining a position or condition until a certain time or event, adding a sense of active effort.

remain for

This suggests a state of being that continues over a period, rather than an active process of lasting.

prevail for

This indicates dominance or effectiveness over a duration, adding a layer of success or triumph.

go on for

Suggests a continuation of events or actions, often implying a potentially undesirable length.

carry on for

This alternative suggests continuing with something despite difficulties or obstacles.

be sustained for

This implies that something is actively maintained or supported over a period.

FAQs

How can I use "last for" in a sentence?

Use "last for" to describe the duration of something. For example, "The concert will "last for" three hours", indicating the concert's length.

What's a formal alternative to "last for"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "continue for" or "persist for" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "the event lasts two hours" instead of "the event will last for two hours"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "The event lasts two hours" is a simple present tense statement about a scheduled event, while "the event will "last for" two hours" uses the future tense to indicate the event's expected duration.

What is the difference between "endure for" and "last for"?

"Endure for" often implies a challenging or difficult experience that persists over time, whereas ""last for"" simply indicates the duration of something without necessarily implying hardship.