long gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “long gone” is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe something that existed in the past and is no longer present. For example, “The days of the Wild West are long gone.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Long gone!

The New York Times

Long gone, now, sadly.

The Guardian - Travel

"But that's long gone.

The New York Times

They'd be long gone.

The New Yorker

It's long gone.

The New York Times

That house, long gone.

The New Yorker

Feudalism is long gone.

The Economist

They're long gone now.

The New Yorker

They've long gone!

Independent

Pumba is long gone.

The New York Times

Those hopes are long gone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long gone" to emphasize that something is not just gone, but has been gone for a considerable time and is unlikely to return or be relevant again.

Common error

Avoid using "long gone" when something has only recently disappeared or ceased to exist. It's best suited for situations where the absence is significant and enduring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long gone" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is no longer present or relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long gone" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is no longer present or relevant, having disappeared or ceased to exist a considerable time ago. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize duration and completeness of absence. Consider alternative phrases like "vanished without a trace" or "become a thing of the past" for nuanced variations. When using "long gone", ensure the context aligns with a significant and enduring absence, avoiding its application to recent disappearances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer exists

A straightforward declaration of non-existence.

become a thing of the past

Directly states that something is no longer current or existing.

is no more

A more formal or dramatic way of saying something no longer exists.

vanished without a trace

Emphasizes the complete disappearance and lack of remaining evidence.

disappeared from the scene

Focuses on the absence from a particular context or situation.

consigned to history

Highlights the historical aspect of something being no longer relevant in the present.

passed into oblivion

Suggests a state of being completely forgotten or unknown.

relegated to the past

Indicates a deliberate act of moving something to a less important or irrelevant position.

faded into obscurity

Implies a gradual decline into being unknown or forgotten.

extinct

Suggests that something has died out completely, with no chance of revival.

FAQs

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

You can use "long gone" to describe something that existed in the past but no longer exists or is relevant in the present, such as "The era of handwritten letters is "become a thing of the past", "long vanished" and "long disappeared"."

What are some alternatives to "long gone"?

Alternatives to "long gone" include phrases like "vanished without a trace", "passed into oblivion", or ""become a thing of the past"", each conveying a similar sense of something being no longer present or relevant.

Is it appropriate to use "long gone" in formal writing?

While "long gone" is generally suitable for most writing contexts, including news and media, more formal alternatives like "relegated to the past" or "consigned to history" might be preferred in strictly formal or academic settings.

What's the difference between "gone" and "long gone"?

"Gone" simply indicates that something is absent. "Long gone" emphasizes that the absence is not recent but has persisted for a considerable time, making the return or relevance of the thing unlikely. "Gone" is a more general statement of absence while "long gone" implies duration and permanence.