last for long

USAGE SUMMARY

'last for long' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lasts for a considerable amount of time, often longer than expected. For example, "Their love story seemed to last for long, despite all the trials they encountered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fun didn't last for long.

The New York Times - Travel

Our relief didn't last for long.

The New York Times

It wouldn't last for long.

The Guardian - Sport

I hope it doesn't last for long.

Independent

That sensation did not last for long.

The Guardian - Sport

The mystery won't last for long.

The New York Times

Trump's reversal did not last for long.

The Guardian

But it won't last for long.

The New York Times

Sullen weariness does not last for long.

The Guardian

Things this perfect never last for long.

The Guardian - Travel

That feeling didn't last for long.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the expected lifespan of a product or the impact of an event, use "last for long" to convey duration and potential longevity. For example, "The effects of the policy are expected to "last for long", influencing market trends for years to come."

Common error

Avoid using "last for long" when you need to specify an exact duration. Instead of saying "The meeting will last for long", specify the time frame: "The meeting will last for two hours."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last for long" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the duration of an action, state, or condition. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically sound and frequently used. It specifies how long something persists or remains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last for long" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate duration, as affirmed by Ludwig. It carries a neutral tone and appears most often in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider whether simpler alternatives like "last" might be more effective in certain situations. Remember to emphasize duration and consider formality when using "last for long". Ludwig provides various examples showcasing the phrase's wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endure for an extended period

Replaces "last" with "endure" and "long" with "extended period", emphasizing persistence.

continue for a considerable time

Substitutes "last" with "continue" and "long" with "considerable time", focusing on uninterrupted duration.

persist over a lengthy duration

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of something using "persist" instead of "last" and specifies "lengthy duration".

remain for an extensive period

Uses "remain" to indicate staying power and "extensive period" to convey a significant amount of time.

hold out for a drawn-out stretch

Replaces "last" with "hold out", suggesting resilience, and uses "drawn-out stretch" for a prolonged time frame.

prevail for a protracted interval

Emphasizes success in continuing with "prevail" and indicates a long time using "protracted interval".

stretch out for a good while

Informal alternative using "stretch out" to indicate length and "good while" for a significant duration.

carry on for quite some time

Uses "carry on" as a more active way to say "last" and "quite some time" for a considerable period.

sustain itself over time

Focuses on the ability to maintain existence or function with "sustain itself" instead of "last".

not fade away quickly

Expresses the opposite meaning (something not ending soon) by using a negative construction and different vocabulary.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "last for long" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "continue for a considerable time" or "endure for an extended period". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated way to express duration.

What's the difference between "last for long" and "last long"?

While both "last for long" and "last long" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings, "last for long" often carries a slightly more emphatic sense of extended duration. "Last long" is a more concise and commonly used variant.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "last for long"?

"Last for long" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the prolonged nature of something, such as the lifespan of a product, the impact of a decision, or the duration of an event. It works well in both formal and informal settings, though more formal alternatives exist.

Are there any situations where "last for long" might sound awkward?

While generally acceptable, "last for long" might sound slightly redundant in contexts where the idea of duration is already heavily implied. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "last" or "continue" might be more effective.