likely to be long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to be long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when predicting or estimating the duration of an event, process, or situation. Example: "The meeting is likely to be long, so please prepare accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The list of claimants is likely to be long.

The New York Times

The Madoff effect is likely to be long term.

The New York Times

By then, Mr Nukaga is likely to be long gone.

The Economist

The trend of trans-Pacific ventures is likely to be long term.

The New York Times

Emails make me anxious because I know they're likely to be long.

The Guardian - Tech

Whoever emerges, the talks are likely to be long and contentious.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The uncertainty is likely to be long-term.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the impact was more likely to be long-term rather than immediate.

The Guardian

Because the outflowing material does not move quickly enough to escape the galaxy's gravity, they conclude that this dramatic galactic fountain seems likely to be long-lived.

Harvard University

But it seems safe to say that the changes in the technology landscape are likely to be long-lasting and profound.

The New York Times - Tech

Whatever the impact of the attorney general's decision in New York cases, it seems that it is likely to be long-lasting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely to be long" to suggest the scale or importance of an effect or an impact, and if necessary contextualize the impact or scope.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "The project is likely to be long" without specifying what aspect is long (e.g., development, testing) and providing a comparative timeframe to set expectations appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to be long" primarily functions as a predictive adjective phrase. It is used to describe an expectation or probability regarding the extended duration of an event, process, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely to be long" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey an expectation of extended duration. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify what aspect is "long" and, if possible, offer a comparative timeframe. Alternatives such as "expected to be lengthy" or "anticipated to take time" can add nuance or formality depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to last a while

Focuses on the anticipated duration with an expectation.

predicted to be lengthy

Emphasizes a forecast of a long duration.

anticipated to take time

Highlights the expectation of a time-consuming process.

projected to be extended

Stresses the estimation of an elongated period.

poised to continue

Suggests an ongoing state with the potential for longevity.

set to endure

Implies resilience and the capacity to last for a significant time.

apt to persist

Highlights the tendency to continue existing for a prolonged duration.

liable to remain

Focuses on the probability of staying in a certain state or condition for an extended period.

inclined to stretch

Suggests a natural tendency for something to become longer in duration.

presumed to protract

Emphasizes the assumption that something will be prolonged or extended.

FAQs

How can I use "likely to be long" in a sentence?

You can use "likely to be long" to describe an event, process, or situation that is expected to last for a considerable amount of time. For example, "The recovery process is likely to be long and difficult."

What are some alternatives to "likely to be long"?

Alternatives include "expected to be lengthy", "anticipated to take time", or "projected to be extended depending on the specific context".

Is it better to say "likely to be long" or "likely to be lengthy"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "likely to be lengthy" might sound more formal. "Likely to be long" is generally suitable for most situations, while "likely to be lengthy" can add a touch of formality to your writing.

What's the difference between "likely to be long" and "likely to be long-term"?

"Likely to be long" refers to the duration of an event or process, while "likely to be long-term" refers to something that is expected to last for an extended period and have lasting effects. For example, a negotiation might be "likely to be long", while an investment might be "likely to be long-term".