long after

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase 'long after' in written English.
For example, you could say: "Long after the party was over, people continued to talk about the fun they had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not long after, Anna dies.

The New York Times - Arts

Not long after, the garage collapsed.

The New York Times

Not long after, our marriage started shifting.

The New York Times

Not long after, the family left Washington.

The New York Times

As for the "after," how long after?

The New Yorker

Not long after, he shaved his head.

The New York Times - Sports

Not long after, though, something else changed.

The New York Times

Not long after, Soriano had a deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Most returned long after dark.

The Guardian

Not long after, these colorful experiments ceased.

Princeton University

Not long after, a plague swept Europe.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long after", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial event or time period being referenced. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "long after" in situations where a short time frame is intended. "Shortly after" or "soon after" are more appropriate when the time difference is minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long after" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred in relation to a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long after" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a significant duration following a particular event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news media, academia, and scientific writing. When using "long after", ensure that the initial event is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "much later" or "considerably later" can be considered depending on the intended emphasis. Avoid using "long after" when referring to short time frames; "shortly after" is more appropriate in those cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much later

Emphasizes a greater time difference compared to "long after".

considerably later

Highlights that the delay is significant or noteworthy.

a good while later

Indicates a substantial but somewhat indefinite amount of time has passed.

well after

Suggests something occurred safely past a specific time or event.

subsequently

A more formal term indicating what follows in time or order.

down the line

Implies at some unspecified point in the future from a past event.

in due course

Signifies the event will happen at an appropriate time in the future.

eventually

Indicates that something will happen at the end of a period of time or process.

in the fullness of time

Suggests a period must pass for something significant to occur.

eventual

Implies an outcome happening at the termination of a long period.

FAQs

How can I use "long after" in a sentence?

You can use "long after" to indicate that something happens or continues for a significant period following a particular event. For example, "Long after the concert ended, the crowd remained enthusiastic."

What's a good alternative to "long after"?

Alternatives include "much later", "considerably later", or "a good while later", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "long after" or "a long time after"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "long after" is often more concise and stylistically preferred. "A long time after" can sometimes sound more emphatic, but ensure it fits the context.

What's the difference between "long after" and "shortly after"?

"Long after" implies a considerable duration has passed since an event, while "shortly after" indicates a minimal time difference. Use "shortly after" when something happens very soon after the initial event.