long required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long required" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something has been needed for a long time, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The changes to the policy are long required to improve efficiency."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet many insurers active in the region have long required coastal and Long Island homeowners to carry either a hurricane deductible or a windstorm deductible as part of their policies.

The New York Times

Citigroup's organizational chart has long required its own field manual.

The New York Times

The Olympics long required physical exams for female athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

We've long required a corrective interpretation, and "Flipping Out" is it.

The New York Times - Arts

Carrying a digital single-lens reflex camera has long required a certain amount of dedication.

The New York Times - Tech

The Wall Street Journal has long required readers to pay for Web content.

The New York Times

THE nation's most selective universities have long required three SAT subject tests.

The New York Times

Companies like Home Depot have long required their directors to visit company stores regularly and report back on their experiences.

The New York Times

The ferry, which carries 6,000 passengers and is 310 feet long, required six months of work.

The New York Times

Judicial conduct codes in many states have long required candidates for the bench to avoid making false or misleading statements.

The New York Times

Congress has long required states to cover specified groups of people up to specified levels of income.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "long required" is frequently used, consider replacing it with grammatically sound alternatives like "long overdue" or "has long been necessary" for improved clarity and correctness.

Common error

Don't use "long required" when you actually mean "long overdue". The former is grammatically awkward, while the latter clearly conveys that something should have happened earlier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long required" functions as a modifier, indicating that something has been needed or necessary for an extended period. Ludwig AI notes that it's not considered grammatically correct, but its frequent usage across various sources suggests it's understood, if not ideal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "long required" appears frequently in diverse sources, including news and scientific publications, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. This suggests a tension between common usage and grammatical standards. Despite its prevalence, writers should consider using more grammatically sound alternatives like "long overdue" or "has long been necessary" to enhance clarity and correctness. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality, but prioritizing grammatical accuracy often leads to more effective communication. Frequency of use doesn't always equate to correctness, and in this case, opting for alternatives strengthens writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long been needed

This alternative uses a more standard phrasing to convey the idea of a need existing for a considerable time.

has long been necessary

This phrase emphasizes necessity over a prolonged duration.

long overdue

Highlights that something should have happened a long time ago.

urgently needed for a long time

Expresses the pressing need that has existed for an extended period.

greatly needed for a long time

Emphasizes a significant need over a prolonged duration.

was needed a long time ago

This rephrasing indicates that the necessity occurred in the past and persists.

desperately needed for years

Shows a critical need spanning several years.

badly needed for a long duration

Indicates a significant and prolonged need.

necessary for quite some time

Conveys the ongoing necessity of something.

essential for an extended period

Highlights the enduring importance of something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "long required"?

You can use alternatives like "long overdue", "has long been necessary", or "greatly needed depending on the context".

Is "long required" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "long required" is not correct in standard written English. While it's used, it may be better to use "long overdue" or "greatly needed".

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

While you can use "long required", it's better to use alternatives that are more grammatically correct. For example, instead of "These changes are long required", try "These changes are long overdue".

What is the difference between "long required" and "long overdue"?

"Long required" is grammatically awkward, whereas "long overdue" is a common and grammatically correct phrase that means something should have happened a long time ago.