long enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has taken a significant amount of time, or is of sufficient length. For example: "I've been working on this project for long enough; it's time for a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He lived long enough.

The Economist

Not long enough, though.

The New Yorker

That's long enough.

The New York Times

It's cooked long enough.

The New York Times

"We waited long enough.

The New York Times

Just long enough.

The New York Times

We had waited long enough".

The New York Times

My résumé's not long enough.

The New York Times

They've been practicing long enough".

The New Yorker

But that was long enough.

The New Yorker

I wasn't there long enough.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When determining whether something is "long enough", consider the context and desired outcome. For example, "Is the rope "long enough" to reach the ground?"

Common error

Avoid using "long enough" when you mean merely 'long' without any implication of reaching a limit or sufficiency. For example, instead of saying "The movie was "long enough"", say "The movie was long" if you're just describing its duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long enough" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating that a duration is sufficient or has reached a certain threshold. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

19%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long enough" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate sufficiency or a perceived limit in duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts. While generally neutral, its specific connotation (sufficiency, impatience, etc.) depends on the context. When writing, be mindful to use "long enough" when you specifically want to convey that a time period has reached a necessary or acceptable limit. If you want to suggest an alternative, consider "sufficiently long" or "ample time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as long as necessary

Highlights that the duration extends to meet particular requirements or needs.

sufficiently long

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal tone, emphasizing the adequacy of the duration.

adequate duration

Highlights the length of time, indicating it meets the necessary requirements.

a sufficient time

Emphasizes that a period is adequate for its intended purpose.

ample time

Focuses on the availability of time, suggesting there is enough time for a specific purpose.

for a considerable period

Emphasizes the length of the time, suggesting it is noteworthy or significant.

the right amount of time

Focuses on achieving a specific purpose, suggesting there is the correct duration for something to happen.

long since

Implies that something happened a while ago, focusing on the completion of an event.

after a drawn-out period

Suggests a period longer than expected, usually implying a negative connotation.

a good while

Offers an informal alternative, indicating a reasonably long but indefinite time.

FAQs

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

You can use "long enough" to indicate that a period of time is sufficient for a particular purpose, or that you have reached your limit of patience. For example, "Have you studied "long enough" for the test?" or "I've waited "long enough" for my turn!"

What's a more formal alternative to "long enough"?

A more formal alternative to "long enough" is "sufficiently long". This option is appropriate for professional or academic settings.

Is there a difference between "long enough" and "too long"?

Yes, "long enough" suggests that a duration is adequate, while "too long" implies that a duration has exceeded a reasonable or desirable limit.

When is it appropriate to use "long enough already"?

The phrase "long enough already" is used to express frustration or impatience, indicating that a situation has persisted for an unacceptably long time. It's suitable for informal contexts where you want to show annoyance.