long story

USAGE SUMMARY

"long story" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an extended explanation or narrative. For example: "I'd love to tell you what happened, but it's a long story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Long story).

The New York Times

"Why not?" "Long story".

The New Yorker

(It's a long story).

The New York Times

How about a long story?

The New York Times - Books

Long story short: Gladwell won.

Independent

It is a long story.

The Economist

"Long story," I said.

The Guardian - Books

(That's another, long story).

The New York Times - Arts

BEN RATLIFF It's a long story.

The New York Times - Arts

A long story, a long odyssey".

The New Yorker

Oh this is a long story.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long story" to signal that you will either provide a shortened version of the explanation or skip it entirely to avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive details.

Common error

Avoid launching into the full, unabridged version of the "long story" unless your audience explicitly expresses interest. Gauge their interest first to prevent losing their attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long story" functions as an idiomatic expression used to signal that a full explanation would be lengthy or complicated. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to acknowledge complexity and often precedes a shortened version or omission of the details. For example, the snippets show it used as a conversational placeholder.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long story" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a full explanation would be lengthy or complex. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and frequency across various sources, especially in news and media. It serves to manage expectations, allowing the speaker to offer a shortened summary or skip the details altogether. While generally neutral to informal, its presence in news articles suggests a broad applicability. Alternatives such as "complicated explanation" or "involved explanation" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis. Therefore, use "long story" to signal complexity and avoid overwhelming your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite a tale

Indicates an interesting and perhaps unusual story.

involved explanation

Highlights the intricate nature and many elements of the story.

complicated explanation

Emphasizes the complexity of the explanation rather than its length.

the full account is lengthy

Clearly states the extended length of the narrative.

the backstory is complicated

Specifically refers to the complex background information.

the details are extensive

Directly points out the large number of details involved.

it's a bit of a saga

Suggests a dramatic and extended series of events.

there's a lot to it

Informally suggests that the explanation is substantial.

complex situation

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the circumstances.

it's a winding road

Implies a convoluted and indirect path of events.

FAQs

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

You can use "long story" to preface a complicated explanation, or to indicate you are skipping details. For example, "Why I missed the deadline? It's a "long story", but the short version is that my computer crashed."

What's a less informal alternative to "long story"?

If you want to sound more formal, you could say "the explanation is rather involved", "the matter is quite complex", or "the full account is lengthy".

When is it appropriate to use "long story short"?

Use "long story short" to indicate you're providing a concise summary of a complex series of events. It's suitable when you want to convey the gist without all the details.

Is it better to say "long story" or provide a brief explanation?

It depends on your audience and the context. If time is limited or the details are not crucial, saying "long story" and offering a brief summary is best. Otherwise, gauge interest before diving into a longer explanation.