long time gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long time gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or situation. Example: "It's been a long time gone since we last met at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A long time gone, but never forgotten.

The New York Times

Will be for a long time gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that was then, a long time gone.

The New Yorker

As for Baddeley, he showed he has got it back after a long time gone.

The New York Times - Sports

With both his parents a long time gone, he feels pretty free now.

The Guardian - Music

Appreciate him: he was a long time coming, and he will be a long time gone.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

We'll be at this for a long time, going in exactly the same circles.

The New York Times

"I spent a long, long time going to corporations and foundations, looking for donations.

The New York Times

HE TOOK a long time going, but at last Pervez Musharraf quit this week as Pakistan's president (see article).

The Economist

"I spent a long time going to lunch with quite a few of them, to calm them down," he said.

The New Yorker

As it turns out, Jeff has been interested in large telescopes for a long time, going back to his childhood in Port Orchard, Washington.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context. "Long time gone" can carry a sense of loss, relief, or indifference, so ensure it aligns with the intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "long time gone" when a neutral description of past events is needed. It carries emotional weight that might be inappropriate in formal or objective contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long time gone" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration of time that has passed since an event or state existed. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, with its various examples showing how the phrase adds a temporal dimension to statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long time gone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase primarily functioning as an adverbial modifier to emphasize the passage of time. According to Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to convey nostalgia, loss, or a sense of finality. While widely accepted, it's best used in neutral to informal settings, avoiding overly formal or scientific contexts. Related phrases include "a distant memory" or "a thing of the past", offering similar meanings with slightly different emotional weights. When using "long time gone", consider its potential emotional impact and ensure it aligns with the intended tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long ago

Simply indicates something happened far in the past

a thing of the past

Indicates something is outdated or no longer exists.

long since past

Indicates that something ended a considerable time ago.

a distant memory

Emphasizes that something is remembered faintly because it happened far in the past.

ancient history

Highlights that something is no longer relevant due to its age.

bygone era

Refers to a period in the past that is significantly different from the present.

days of yore

Evokes a sense of nostalgia for the past.

vanished without a trace

Stresses the complete disappearance of something.

water under the bridge

Highlights that something from the past is no longer worth worrying about.

history

Simply states that something is in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "long time gone" to express that a significant period has passed since an event or situation occurred. For example, "That feeling is a "thing of the past"" or "Those days are "gone forever"".

What's a more formal alternative to "long time gone"?

For more formal situations, consider phrases like "a considerable time has elapsed", "a significant period has passed", or "that era is "long since past"".

Is "long time gone" grammatically correct?

Yes, "long time gone" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase to indicate that a notable amount of time has elapsed. It often evokes a sense of nostalgia or irrecoverability.

What's the difference between "long time gone" and "long ago"?

"Long ago" simply indicates that something happened far in the past. "Long time gone" carries an additional emotional weight, suggesting that something is not only in the past but also irretrievable or significantly changed. It's often used to express nostalgia or loss. In comparison "long ago"/s/long+ago is more neutral