long backward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long backward" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing distance or time, but it would typically require additional context to clarify its meaning. Example: "He walked long backward down the path, trying to retrace his steps."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

My favorite place in racing is not a place at all, but the long backward reach of memory.

The New York Times

Bend your elbows to about 90 degrees and focus on making a long backward swing and a short forward swing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tuesday, she seemed to wobble for a moment — perhaps hitting a rut in the ice — during a long backward, diagonal approach to her triple lutz.

The New York Times - Sports

As demonstrated previously, visual working memory performance rises gradually to asymptote under the influence of long backward masks (Gegenfurtner & Sperling, 1993; Vogel et al., 2006).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Columbines are distinctive for their five-petaled flowers that have long, backward-extending spurs as pouchlike extensions of the petals, which contain nectar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wild goats, including the markhor (Cabra falconeri; prized for its long, twisted horns) and the ibex (with long, backward-curving horns), can be found in the Pamirs, and wild sheep, including the urial and argali (or Marco Polo sheep), inhabit the Pamirs and the Hindu Kush.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Are you feeling something?," he polled the students while they were doing hanging back bends (long leans backward, but your hands are not touching the floor).

The New York Times - Health

They have backward compatibility and long back catalogs, and so they become clogged with competing software.

TechCrunch

And just as the cold war can't be fully understood without long looks backward, "Cold War" harks back to "The World at War," a documentary that mixed archival material and interviews with witnesses like the Nazi architect Albert Speer Lord Mountbattenn; a Hiroshima survivor, Hiroko Nakamoto and Dwight D. Eisenhowerr's wartime driver and companion, Kay Summersby.

The New York Times - Arts

Facing Anderson, he took a long step backward.

The New Yorker

And so it is: a sudden sight of overwhelming realness followed by a long, lingering backward look.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "long backward", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a temporal or spatial dimension. Provide additional details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not use "long backward" without sufficient context. This phrase can be vague. Instead, specify whether you mean a "long time ago" or a "long distance back".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long backward" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something extending or directed far into the past or to the rear. The examples in Ludwig show it used to modify concepts such as "reach of memory" or "swing".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long backward" is an adjective phrase that, while grammatically acceptable, is not very common. It's used to describe something extending far into the past or moving in a reverse direction. Ludwig AI indicates that it requires context for clarity, and alternative phrases like "far back" or "a long time ago" might be more suitable depending on the situation. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, its neutral register and relative infrequency suggest careful consideration when choosing this phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far back

Emphasizes distance in the past or a physical location.

long time ago

A general expression for a time far in the past.

way back when

An informal way to refer to a distant time in the past.

distant past

Highlights the remoteness of a past time.

considerable time ago

Focuses on the length of time that has passed.

extensive look back

Indicates a detailed examination of past events or experiences.

lengthy retrospective

Indicates a thorough and extended review of past events.

extended journey back

Emphasizes the journey or process of returning to a previous state or location.

lengthy regression

Highlights a prolonged period of decline or return to a previous state.

far-reaching regression

Focuses on regression that has many effects or influence.

FAQs

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

To use "long backward" effectively, ensure the context clarifies whether it refers to time or space. For example, "He took a "long backward" glance at his past" (time) or "The path stretched "long backward" into the forest" (space).

What are some alternatives to "long backward"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "far back", "a long time ago", or "distant past".

Is "long backward" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "long backward" is less common and can sound awkward. Ludwig AI notes that it needs context to clarify meaning. More common and clearer alternatives exist for most situations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "long backward"?

Use "long backward" when you want to emphasize both the duration or distance and the direction of something going towards the past or rearward. For instance, when describing a "long backward" reach of memory.