long enough that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long enough that" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to express that something has been extended far enough to achieve a specific purpose. For example: "I waited long enough that I was starting to get impatient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Once they do that long enough, that doesn't turn them on any more.

The Guardian - Music

"I'll tell you: long enough that she's family".

The New Yorker

"I've been around long enough that I just see time before and time after.

The New Yorker

They'd sat here long enough that only their right side was shaded now.

The New Yorker

We've gazed into the abyss long enough that its begun to gaze back.

The New York Times

The Coen brothers have been around long enough that their films are now being remade.

Independent

Abhishek has been around long enough that viewers don't need to be reminded of his provenance.

The New York Times

The intervals between blizzards in D.C. normally are long enough that each one seems novel.

The New Yorker

"When you've played the game long enough, that, literally, is what it comes down to.

The New York Times - Sports

But I did it for long enough that I burned out on it".

The Guardian - Film

But it has been long enough that much of her expected convention "bounce" should have faded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long enough that" to clearly indicate that a certain duration is sufficient for a specific consequence or outcome to occur. This helps establish a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Ensure that the time period referenced by "long enough that" is clear and specific. Avoid ambiguity by providing context or a clear benchmark for the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long enough that" functions as a conjunction, linking a duration of time to a subsequent consequence or result. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long enough that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to connect a time duration with its resulting consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific writing, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the time reference and consider more formal alternatives like "to such an extent that" for academic or professional settings. The phrase is very common and easily understood, serving as a valuable tool for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently long that

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing adequacy but maintaining the same structure.

for such a time that

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a duration resulting in a specific outcome.

to such an extent that

Shifts the focus to the degree or measure which results in a particular outcome.

for so long a period that

Emphasizes the extended duration with more descriptive wording.

after a period so long that

Rearranges the sentence to highlight the passage of time before the outcome.

lasting so long that

Focuses on the duration as the primary factor leading to the result.

after waiting so long that

Specifies the action of waiting and indicates the extended period of waiting.

given the length of time that

Introduces the duration as a given condition influencing the result.

with the passage of enough time that

Highlights the progression of time as the cause of the subsequent event.

in the fullness of time that

Uses a more poetic expression to suggest that a result occurs naturally after a sufficient period.

FAQs

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

Use "long enough that" to indicate a duration sufficient for something to happen. For example, "The meeting lasted "long enough that" everyone was exhausted".

What are some alternatives to "long enough that"?

You can use alternatives like "sufficiently long that", "to such an extent that", or "for such a time that" depending on the context.

Is "long enough that" formal or informal?

"Long enough that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "to such an extent that" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "long enough that" and "so long that"?

Both phrases indicate duration leading to a result, but "long enough that" emphasizes sufficiency, while "so long that" emphasizes the extent of the duration. The phrase "so long that" might imply a greater degree of duration or intensity.