long time away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'long time away' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant period of being away from a person or a place. For example: "He has been away for a long time; it will be good to see him again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year is a long time away.

The New York Times

Euro 2016 is a long time away.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a long time away from home".

The New York Times - Sports

It can be a tough environment, and it's a long time away from family.

Harvard University

There is a finiteness to it, though the end may be a long time away.

The New Yorker

He had never spent such a long time away from his family.

The New Yorker

Even after such a long time away, Burress laid out as if he had never left.

The New York Times - Sports

But it inevitably seems a long time away to people who have lost everything.

The Economist

Asked about the outlook for the economy, Ms. Meachem said, "Fall is a long time away".

The New York Times

The year 2000 was a long time away, and people shrugged.

The New York Times - Tech

"I had a lot of fun after a long time away.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long time away" to emphasize the emotional impact of separation or absence, particularly when describing personal experiences or relationships. For instance, "After a long time away, returning home felt surreal."

Common error

While "long time away" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing. Consider using more precise terms like "extended absence" or "prolonged separation" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long time away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a duration of separation or absence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing periods of being away from home, family, or a particular activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long time away" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a significant period of absence or separation. Ludwig AI validates its usage, and various examples demonstrate its versatility across different contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it’s essential to consider more formal alternatives like "extended absence" in highly formal or scientific writing. Remember to use "long time away" to effectively convey the emotional impact of separation or absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial time away

Emphasizes the amount of time, suggesting a significant duration of absence.

considerable time away

Similar to "substantial time away", highlighting the length of the absence.

extended absence

Focuses on the state of being absent for a prolonged period.

lengthy time apart

Highlights the duration of separation between people or things.

protracted absence

Implies a formal or official context of being away for a long time.

significant period of absence

More formal and emphasizes the importance or impact of the absence.

long duration of separation

Focuses on the duration and the state of being separated.

considerable separation

More succinct, highlighting separation over a notable period.

lengthy separation

Simplifies the phrase while still emphasizing the duration of separation.

significant absence

Highlights the noteworthiness or importance of the absence.

FAQs

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

You can use "long time away" to describe a period of separation, as in, "After a long time away, I finally returned to my hometown". It emphasizes the duration of the absence.

What are some alternatives to "long time away"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial time away", "considerable time away", or "extended absence" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a long time away from home"?

Yes, "a long time away from home" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It specifies the context of the absence, indicating that someone has been away from their home for an extended period.

What is the difference between "long time away" and "long way away"?

"Long time away" refers to a duration of time, while "long way away" refers to a physical distance. For example, "It's a long way away from here" indicates spatial distance, whereas "It's been a long time away since we last met" indicates a temporal separation.