long time later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long time later" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to indicate a significant passage of time before an event occurs, but "long time later" is better expressed in other ways. Example: "After a long time later, they finally met again."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

A long time later.

University of California, Berkeley

Long time later, I found that they were delighted about it".

The New Yorker

"I talked to Banks a long time later," Mr. Mendow told The Star Tribune.

The New York Times

I had an apology a long time later from a news agency.

The Guardian

I hadn't known she had taken the picture until a long time later.

The New York Times

I was looking and thinking and honing something that I didn't discover would be useful until quite a long time later".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Meanwhile, although the IPO market looks healthier than it has in a long time, later-stage investors have to contend with another threat to their business: Softbank's nearly $100 billion Vision Fund, which is routinely outspending rivals for prized stakes in promising companies.

TechCrunch

That's a long time". Later that year, Ciampa took part in the Battle of the Bulge, the massive Allied effort to halt the German offensive that left 76,890 soldiers dead, wounded or missing.

Los Angeles Times

But he added that he would not have that conversation then "because we've kept folks here for a very long time". Moments later, after pledging to be "an honest, ethical, hard-working, principled, faithful servant leader worthy of Virginia," Gillespie was out the door.

The Washington Post

After keeping up the ruse for a long time, they later faked the girlfriend's death and the college kid was devastated by the loss.

Huffington Post

He shook my hand for a long time and later tried to hug several visiting journalists in a show of solidarity.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "much later" or "after a long time" for a more concise and grammatically standard alternative to "long time later".

Common error

Avoid using "long time later" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "subsequently" or "at a later date".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long time later" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when something occurred relative to another event in the past. Ludwig suggests that while understandable, there are better alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long time later" is a commonly used adverbial phrase to indicate a significant period of time passing between two events. While Ludwig indicates it is acceptable, alternatives such as "much later" or "after a long time" are generally preferred for greater grammatical correctness and formality. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with occasional use in science and academia. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if a more precise or formal alternative would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much later

More concise and common alternative; emphasizes the temporal distance.

a considerable time afterwards

More formal; emphasizes the length of the interval.

after a significant period

Highlights the importance of the time elapsed.

eventually

Focuses on the final outcome rather than the time itself.

down the line

Informal; suggests a future point in time after a certain duration.

in due course

Suggests something happening at the appropriate or expected time.

at a later date

More formal; specifies a time in the future.

in the fullness of time

Emphasizes the gradual unfolding of events over time.

subsequently

Formal; indicates something that follows in time.

after a passage of time

Emphasizes the progression of time before something happens.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "much later", "after a significant period", or "eventually" depending on the context.

Is "long time later" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "long time later" is not considered standard English. Alternatives such as "much later" or "after a long time" are more grammatically sound.

How does the formality of "long time later" compare to alternatives?

"Long time later" is relatively informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "subsequently" or "at a later date".

In what contexts is "long time later" most appropriate?

"Long time later" is generally suitable for informal conversation or narrative writing. It may not be the best choice for formal academic or professional contexts.