long practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long practice" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a period of time spent consistently practicing or engaging in a specific activity or skill. Example: "After years of long practice, she finally mastered the art of playing the piano."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Long practice controls this reflex.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Long practice ensures that her recipes are sound.

The Guardian - Books

From long practice, Romer has that conversation down.

The New Yorker

Through long practice, it's clear that Margaret is used to solving problems on her own.

The New York Times

With the ease of long practice, the pilots snapped their aircraft into place.

The New York Times

Long practice has taught me that one pleasure leads to another.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The embrace of such a genre as a career-long practice was a surrender to adventure, undertaken with no knowledge of how the story would continue.

The Guardian - Books

The decades-long practice of feeding small doses of antibiotics continuously to entire herds or flocks has a high cost for human health.

The New York Times

Still, the disaster has made it clear that Hungary must reassess its environmental heritage, its decades-long practice of storing toxic industrial waste around the country.

The New York Times

The final hour-long practice session on Saturday morning took place in the dry but qualifying - which saw Ferrari's Fernando Alonso take pole - was interrupted by heavy downpours.

BBC

The final hour-long practice session on Saturday took place in the dry before rain arrived just as it drew to a close.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long practice" to emphasize the time and dedication required to master a skill or develop expertise. For example, "Sword swallowing takes "long practice" to control the gag reflex".

Common error

Avoid using "practice for long" when you mean "long practice". "Practice for long" refers to the act of practicing over an extended duration, while "long practice" describes the sustained effort itself. For instance, instead of saying 'She had to practice for long', say 'She needed "long practice" to improve'.

Linguistic Context

Long practice functions as a noun phrase where "long" modifies "practice", indicating an extended duration or commitment to practicing a skill. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, such as in contexts related to skills acquisition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long practice" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes a sustained commitment to honing a skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears frequently in news, media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "extensive training" or "considerable experience" exist, "long practice" specifically emphasizes the duration and effort involved. To effectively use "long practice", remember to highlight the dedication needed for skill mastery. Avoid confusion with "practice for long", which describes the act, not the state, of prolonged effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive training

Focuses more on the training aspect rather than the duration of the practice.

considerable experience

Emphasizes the accumulated experience rather than the act of practicing.

prolonged rehearsal

Specifically relates to rehearsing, often in the context of performing arts.

lengthy preparation

Highlights the preparation aspect, which may or may not involve continuous practice.

years of dedication

Stresses the commitment and time invested over many years.

seasoned expertise

Implies expertise developed over a significant period.

sustained effort

Highlights continuous exertion over time.

regular exercise

Focuses on the routine aspect of physical activity.

consistent application

Emphasizes the consistent use of a skill or method.

repeated drills

Relates specifically to repetitive exercises or drills.

FAQs

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

You can use "long practice" to describe the dedication required to master a skill. For example: 'Through "long practice", it's clear that Margaret is used to solving problems on her own'.

What are some alternatives to "long practice"?

Alternatives to "long practice" include "extensive training", "considerable experience", or "prolonged rehearsal", depending on the specific context.

Is "long practice" the same as "practicing for a long time"?

"Long practice" refers to the sustained effort as a state, while "practicing for a long time" refers to the act of engaging in practice over an extended period. They are related but not interchangeable in all contexts.

What kind of activities benefit from "long practice"?

Activities that require skill mastery, such as playing a musical instrument, sword swallowing or mastering a sport, typically benefit from "long practice".