last more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last more than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a thing or event that is continuing for a longer duration than expected. For example: "The storm lasted more than two hours, causing extensive flooding in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It didn't last more than ten minutes.

The New Yorker

Few last more than a generation.

The Guardian

Will it last more than a few weeks?

The New York Times

He can't last more than a couple of months.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times - Arts

UMM EL-FAHEM — It won't last more than two months.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a gap that won't last more than a decade.

The New York Times - Books

Maybe, but the protestations rarely last more than five minutes.

The New York Times - Books

Power cuts last more than half a day.

The Economist

The series is set to last more than 20 hours.

Independent

His stay is expected to last more than a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last more than" when you want to emphasize the duration or continuation of something beyond a specific point or expectation. For example, "The meeting lasted more than three hours."

Common error

Avoid using "last more than" when you simply want to state a duration without implying it exceeded an expectation. Instead of "The movie lasted more than two hours, but it was enjoyable", just say "The movie lasted two hours and was enjoyable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last more than" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating that something endures for a duration exceeding a stated period. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last more than" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something persists for a duration exceeding a specified period. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. It finds frequent application in news, scientific reports, and general informative content. While "last more than" is commonly employed, remember to accurately match contexts and prevent overuse. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can enhance your writing and clearly express duration and comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue longer than

More explicit about the duration, adding emphasis on the continuation.

go on for longer than

More verbose alternative, stressing the duration of an event or state.

extend beyond

Focuses on the action of extending, differing from the stative verb 'last'.

remain longer than

Implies a state of being that continues for an extended period.

carry on past

Emphasizes the continuation of an activity or process beyond a specific point.

persist beyond

Emphasizes the continuation despite potential obstacles or expected end.

outlast

Highlights surviving or enduring longer than something else.

endure past

Focuses on withstanding something until after a certain time.

stretch beyond

Indicates that something reaches further in time or scope than expected.

exceed

Emphasizes surpassing a certain limit or threshold, rather than duration.

FAQs

How can I use "last more than" in a sentence?

Use "last more than" to indicate that something continues for a longer duration than a specified time. For example, "The effects of the medication can "last more than" 24 hours".

What are some alternatives to "last more than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extend beyond", "continue longer than", or "persist beyond".

Is it correct to say "the meeting lasted more than expected"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable. This usage implies the meeting's duration exceeded the initially planned or anticipated timeframe. The phrase "last more than" is commonly used to convey such situations.

What's the difference between "last more than" and "exceed"?

"Last more than" focuses on duration, indicating something continued for a longer time. "Exceed" emphasizes surpassing a specific limit or quantity. For example, "The battery lasted more than 10 hours" (duration), versus "The cost exceeded our budget" (limit).