long since finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long since finished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was completed a considerable time ago and is no longer ongoing. Example: "The project is long since finished, and we can now move on to new initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The French colonialists did for most large animals and the locals long since finished them off.

The Guardian - Travel

The world has long since finished having its Norman Mailer conversation, but few writers in their day received as much attention.

The New Yorker

Trained… The world has long since finished having its Norman Mailer conversation, but few writers in their day received as much attention.

The New Yorker

The first ranks had long since finished the route, which ran several miles through midtown, from Columbus Circle to Thirty-Fourth Street and Eleventh Avenue, before the last ones got to step off.

The New Yorker

When I e-mailed her in late January, assuming she had long since finished, she didn't respond immediately, then sent a message saying: "I'm not quite sure how to tell you this, but I'm still in CT".

The New York Times - Arts

He chose to defer this goal for more than 12 years and to undergo the drudgery of the classroom at an age when most men have long since finished their training.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In fact, last Thursday did see a bit of an event there, DJ David Morales' tribute to the late Frankie Knuckles, but by the time I'd reached the club that had long-since finished.

The Guardian - Music

It will long since have been finished.

The Guardian - Books

Because January is renowned as the month to release films that are expected to do badly at the box office, some analysts believe this cluster of long-since finished movies is a sign of the dip in quality created by rushed productions ahead of the Hollywood writers' strike in 2007 and 2008.

Independent

The building's renovation had long since been finished, so Ms. Blondina and Ms. Bahati donated their time -- Habitat for Humanity now requires 300 hours of "sweat equity" per adult to qualify for a home and the group's 30-year, no-interest mortgages -- to sites all over the city.

The New York Times

Both have long since disappeared.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long since finished", ensure the context clearly establishes a comparison between the past and the present, highlighting that the completion occurred a considerable time ago and is no longer a current activity.

Common error

Avoid using "long since finished" when a simple past tense would suffice. This phrase adds emphasis on the elapsed time and is most effective when that duration is relevant to the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long since finished" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the completion. It emphasizes that an action or state was completed not just in the past, but a considerable time ago. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where the elapsed time is significant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long since finished" is a grammatically correct way to express that something was completed a considerable time ago. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias and even some informal conversations. It is, however, more emphatic than simply saying "finished" or "completed". It's best used when you want to stress the elapsed time and its implications. Consider alternative phrasing, like "completed a long time ago" or "a thing of the past", to ensure the right tone and emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completed a long time ago

Replaces the adverb "long since" with the more explicit "a long time ago", making the timing more direct.

Finished ages ago

Uses the colloquial term "ages ago" to emphasize the considerable time that has passed since completion.

Completed in the distant past

Emphasizes the remoteness of the completion time by using "distant past".

A thing of the past

Focuses on the idea that the subject is no longer relevant or current, having been completed long ago.

Long gone

Uses a simpler, more metaphorical expression to indicate that something is completely finished and no longer exists or matters.

Finished a while back

A more casual way to indicate that something was finished some time ago.

Ancient history

Implies that the event is so far in the past that it's like a historical event, not something recent.

Way back when it was finished

Uses a folksy, informal phrasing to emphasize the distance in time.

Long-ago completed

Changes the structure slightly to create a compound adjective emphasizing the completion happened far back.

Been done for ages

A more emphatic and informal way of saying something was completed a very long time ago.

FAQs

How can I use "long since finished" in a sentence?

Use "long since finished" to emphasize that something was completed a considerable time ago and is no longer relevant. For example, "That project is "long since finished"; we've moved on to new initiatives."

What are some alternatives to "long since finished"?

Alternatives include "completed a long time ago", "finished ages ago", or "a thing of the past". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "long since finished" and "finished a long time ago"?

"Long since finished" carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the passage of time and a sense of finality compared to "finished a long time ago". The latter is more straightforward, while the former can imply irrelevance or obsolescence.

Is it always necessary to include "long since" when indicating something is finished?

No, using "long since" is optional. It adds emphasis on the extended period since completion. If the time elapsed isn't particularly relevant, simply stating "finished" or "completed" is sufficient.