long time longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long time longer" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express an extended duration, but it is unclear and redundant. Example: "I thought it would take a long time longer than expected to finish the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"They've been in our family a long time, longer than we've lived in Tampa, even.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been with us a long time — longer than the Bush Administration (and nothing seems more interminable than that).

The New Yorker

The pause lasted a long time — longer, it seemed, than most Lyft rides take to arrive — before he finally answered.

The New York Times

But as the Daily News ad suggests, Trump has been thinking about politics for a long time — longer, it may turn out, than is good for America.

The New Yorker

"The truth is that she was a huge part of my life for a long time, longer than people realize," Mr. Carl said after much prodding.

The New York Times

It will take a long time, longer even than a winter's camping on St Paul's cobbles, but this is as good a place to start as any".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

On the other hand, as the chromium carbide precipitation occurs for samples treated at relatively high temperatures (higher than 450 °C for 12 h), and long times (longer than 36 h at 400 °C), C atoms would leave the supersaturated (expanded) martensite phase solid solution, leading the plate martensite to transform back to lath martensite.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Although this may seem like a long time, the longer and better you rinse, the longer and better your hair can be!

WikiHow

The answer was a very long time indeed, longer than man or scripture could measure.

The Guardian - Books

Applying them took a very long time, much longer than a regular manicure, and so was even more boring to sit through.

The New York Times

I've known for a long time, probably longer than you, so you don't need to tell me!' Every day is amazing".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "long time longer" with simpler and grammatically correct alternatives such as "much longer" or "a longer time" for clarity and better communication.

Common error

Avoid using "long time longer" because it's redundant; "longer" already implies an extended period. Choose concise alternatives like "much longer" to prevent awkward phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long time longer" functions as a comparative expression, aiming to indicate that something takes more time than something else. However, as Ludwig indicates, the construction is grammatically incorrect and redundant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "long time longer" appears in various contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. As Ludwig AI explains, simpler alternatives like "much longer" or "a longer time" are clearer and more appropriate. Despite its presence in some media, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. When aiming to compare durations, opting for grammatically sound phrases ensures clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much longer

Direct replacement emphasizing a greater duration, more grammatically sound.

a considerably longer period

More formal, highlighting the extended duration with stronger emphasis.

significantly more time

Replaces 'long time' with 'more time' emphasizing significance.

an even greater duration

Emphasizes that the duration is greater than some previous duration under discussion.

a far more extended timeframe

More formal substitution indicating a notably prolonged duration.

a substantially longer interval

Emphasizes the comparative aspect with a more formal tone.

appreciably more time

Suggests a noticeable difference in duration.

a prolonged duration

Emphasizes the length of the duration and is grammatically correct.

an extensive period

Offers a simple alternative that avoids the grammatical error.

a protracted length of time

Highlights that the time is stretched or drawn out.

FAQs

Is "long time longer" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "long time longer" is grammatically incorrect and considered redundant. It's better to use alternatives like "much longer" or "a longer time".

What does "long time longer" mean?

The phrase attempts to express a duration that is extended compared to another duration, but it's unclear and stylistically poor. "Much longer" is a clearer way to convey this meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "long time longer"?

It's generally not appropriate to use "long time longer" in formal writing or speech. Simpler and more grammatically sound alternatives like "much longer" or "a longer period" are preferred.

What are some alternatives to "long time longer"?

Instead of "long time longer", use "much longer", "significantly more time", or "a considerably longer period" to express an extended duration more effectively.