long in coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long in coming" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has taken a long time to arrive or happen, often implying that it was anticipated or expected. Example: "The new policy was long in coming, but it finally addresses the concerns raised by the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such bonhomie was long in coming.

The Economist

It was too long in coming.

The New York Times

Iranian reaction was not long in coming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This moment was long in coming.

The New York Times - Arts

IT HAS been long in coming.

The Economist

assault, which was not long in coming.

The New Yorker

The trial has been long in coming.

The New York Times

But the decision was long in coming.

The New York Times

But that opulence was long in coming.

The New York Times

But decisions cannot be long in coming.

The Economist

The second was not long in coming.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long in coming" to express relief or satisfaction that something has finally happened, especially after a period of anticipation or struggle. For example, "The peace treaty was long in coming, but it brought an end to the conflict."

Common error

Avoid using "long in coming" to simply describe something that is late without the implication of prior expectation or anticipation. "The bus was late" is more appropriate than "The bus was long in coming" if you weren't expecting the bus in particular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long in coming" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that has taken a significant amount of time to arrive or occur. It indicates that the event or thing was anticipated and its arrival was delayed. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, where the phrase modifies events like "decision", "moment", or "trial".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long in coming" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that has been anticipated for a considerable amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Typically, it conveys a sense of relief or expectation that something has finally occurred. While interchangeable with alternatives like "long overdue" or "much awaited", the specific nuance of anticipation sets it apart. Remember to use it in contexts where something was indeed expected, not just generally late. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles, as demonstrated by its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Long overdue

Emphasizes that something should have happened a while ago.

Awaited for a long time

Directly describes the duration of waiting.

Arrived after a long wait

Rephrases the concept with an emphasis on the duration of waiting.

Much-awaited

Highlights the anticipation and eagerness surrounding an event.

Belated

Indicates lateness, often used for events or actions.

Finally arrived

Emphasizes the arrival after a period of waiting.

Delayed

Focuses on the postponement of something.

Come at last

Poetic way to express something finally happening.

Tardy

Implies a simple lateness, without necessarily any implied anticipation.

Over-anticipated

Emphasizes the excessive expectation leading up to an event.

FAQs

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

Use "long in coming" to describe something that has been eagerly awaited or expected for a significant period. Example: "The company's success was "long in coming" after years of hard work."

What's the difference between "long in coming" and "overdue"?

"Long in coming" implies anticipation and waiting, while "overdue" simply means something should have happened or been completed earlier. "Overdue" doesn't necessarily carry the same sense of expectation.

What can I say instead of "long in coming"?

You can use alternatives like "long overdue", "much awaited", or "finally arrived" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "too long in coming"?

Yes, saying something is "too long in coming" emphasizes that the delay was excessive or undesirable. It suggests the thing in question should have occurred much sooner. The New York Times's usage exemplifies this.