long time after

USAGE SUMMARY

'long time after' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a time period that has passed since a certain event or beginning point. For example: "It was a long time after she graduated college before she found a job in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Space came a long time after," Claudie tells me.

Vice

The kids taunted me for a long time after that.

The New York Times

I hated dolphins for a long time after that".

The New York Times - Sports

Displaced workers often experience large losses in earnings even a long time after reemployment.

Journal of Public Economics

These growths still continue for long time after the combustion, by increasing the exposure risk.

Atmospheric Environment

(3) The electrode extrusion or migration of electrode array may occur a long time after surgery.

Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

For a long time after 1750, Welsh prose was mainly concerned with religious subjects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was under surveillance for a long time after that," he says.

Independent

It was true even for a long time after the Wall came down.

The New York Times

For a long time after that, very little changed in the community of Destin.

The New York Times

Instead, prizes tend to be awarded for past accomplishments—often a long time after the event.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long time after", ensure the context clearly establishes the event or point in time being referenced. For instance, "A long time after the war ended, the city was still recovering."

Common error

Avoid using "long time after" vaguely. Be specific about what event the 'long time' is measured from. For example, instead of saying "Things changed a long time after", clarify with "Things changed a long time after the new policy was implemented."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long time after" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the duration of time that has passed since a particular event. Ludwig indicates this is a correct usage, and this is supported by the multitude of examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long time after" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the duration that follows a specific event. Ludwig confirms the correctness of this usage. Primarily found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using "long time after", ensure clarity by specifying the event being referenced. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "considerable period following" or "significant duration thereafter" may be preferred for academic or professional writing. Avoid vagueness by specifying the initial event from which the time is measured. In conclusion, "long time after" is a versatile and reliable phrase, suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable period following

Replaces "long time" with "considerable period", emphasizing the length of the duration.

extended stretch afterward

Replaces "long time" with "extended stretch", offering a slightly more informal tone.

significant duration thereafter

Uses more formal language, replacing "long time" with "significant duration" and "after" with "thereafter".

appreciable span later

Substitutes "long time" with "appreciable span", highlighting the perceived length of the duration.

a lengthy duration post

Combines a synonym for "long" with a shortened version of after

protracted interval subsequently

Employs elevated vocabulary, substituting "long time" with "protracted interval" and "after" with "subsequently".

for many years since

Specifies the duration as "many years", providing a more concrete timeframe.

a good while following that

Uses a more colloquial expression, replacing "long time after" with "a good while following that".

a significant amount of time elapsed

Focuses on the elapsed time, offering a more descriptive and slightly more formal alternative.

quite some time has passed since

Emphasizes the passing of time since a specific event, differing structurally from the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "long time after" in a sentence?

You can use "long time after" to indicate a significant duration following a specific event. For example, "It took a "long time after" the accident for her to recover fully".

What can I say instead of "long time after"?

You can use alternatives such as "considerable period following", "significant duration thereafter", or "protracted interval subsequently" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "long time after" or "a long time since"?

While both express a significant duration, "long time after" emphasizes the period following an event, whereas "a long time since" stresses the elapsed time from a past event. For example, "It was a "long time after" the meeting that I understood his point" versus "It's been a "long time since" we last met".

Can "long time after" be used in formal writing?

While acceptable, "long time after" might be perceived as less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using alternatives like "considerable period following" or "significant duration thereafter" for a more sophisticated tone.