long standing cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long standing cause" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "long-standing cause." You can use it to refer to a cause or issue that has existed for a significant period of time.
Example: "The long-standing cause of the conflict has roots that date back several decades."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Any meaningful contribution toward lasting peace in the DRC and the Great Lake's region has to abandon the self-defeating practice of selectivity in both memory and responsibility regarding the known, long standing causes of recurring conflict," said Kagame.

The Guardian

In theory, he was protesting the exposure of farmworkers to pesticides — a long-standing cause of his.

The New Yorker

Strauss told HuffPost "we always knew it would be when, not if" Booker came out in favor of this long-standing cause.

Huffington Post

The criticism of Boorse's theory and the exhortation that we should be redirecting healthcare and health systems towards producing health rather than narrowly on preventing and managing disease has been a long-standing cause in the health sciences.

Bioethics

She went on to say the comments caused her "long standing feelings of shame".

Vice

The root causes of the current conflict in South Sudan are notoriously complex and long standing.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

This state influence is long standing however.

Forbes

*LSIs, Long standing illnesses.

BMC Health Services Research

Thus, the excessive mineralization found in the lesions could be considered the result of a long standing granulomatous inflammation caused by M. chelonae.

BMC Veterinary Research

I believe that together we can conquer this hatred and we can help the Congo end the long standing armed conflict that has caused so much suffering and so much destruction.

The New York Times

The change, observed after acute pain stimulus in the nonaffected limb, shows the involvement of inhibiting controls caused by obvious long standing nociceptive input from the contralateral arthritic limb.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing between "long-standing cause" and alternatives like "deep-rooted cause" or "chronic cause." Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the cause's nature.

Common error

Failing to hyphenate "long-standing" is a common error. Without the hyphen, "long" and "standing" are interpreted as separate adjectives, which is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long standing cause" functions as a noun phrase where "long standing" attempts to modify the noun "cause." However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is grammatically incorrect and requires a hyphen to form the compound adjective "long-standing."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "long standing cause" might seem intuitive, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "long-standing cause," where "long-standing" functions as a compound adjective. As Ludwig AI points out, the hyphen is essential. This phrase is used to describe issues that have persisted for a significant time and is best employed in neutral or formal contexts. Remember to hyphenate to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Long-term cause

Replaces 'standing' with 'term' emphasizing the duration of the cause.

Deep-rooted cause

Indicates that the cause is profoundly established and difficult to eradicate.

Established cause

Suggests that the cause is recognized and well-known.

Age-old cause

Implies the cause is very old and has persisted for generations.

Chronic cause

Highlights the persistent and recurring nature of the cause, similar to a chronic illness.

Long-lived cause

Focuses on the extended lifespan or duration of the cause.

Enduring cause

Emphasizes the lasting and resilient quality of the cause.

Perennial cause

Draws a parallel to perennial plants, indicating the cause returns regularly.

Time-honored cause

Suggests that the cause is respected due to its long history.

Historical cause

Situates the cause within a historical context, emphasizing its origins in the past.

FAQs

What is the correct way to write "long standing cause"?

The correct way to write it is "long-standing cause", with a hyphen. The hyphen connects "long" and "standing" to create a compound adjective that describes the noun "cause".

What does "long-standing cause" mean?

A "long-standing cause" refers to an issue, problem, or reason that has existed for a considerable period of time.

Are there any synonyms for "long-standing cause"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "long-term cause", "deep-rooted cause", or "established cause" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "long-standing cause" in a sentence?

You might say, "The "long-standing cause" of the conflict has finally been addressed" or "Her dedication to this "long-standing cause" is truly admirable."