long time now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long time now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a significant amount of time has passed since a particular event or situation began. Example: "I've been waiting for a response from you for a long time now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a very long time now.

The New York Times

"We've been waiting a long time now".

The New York Times - Sports

"We've had it available for a long time now.

The New Yorker

The faithful have known that for a long time now.

The Guardian

People have been doing that for a long time now.

The New York Times

I've been part of it for a long time now.

The New York Times - Sports

That's held true for a long time now".

The New York Times - Sports

"They have been using it for a long time now.

The New York Times - Health

People go on a long time now, don't they?

The Guardian - Film

But he has been dead a long time now.

The Guardian - Arts

His retirement has been coming for a long time now.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long time now" to emphasize the duration of an event or state, especially when implying a change or consequence due to the elapsed time. For instance, use it to express that a situation has persisted and is now having an effect.

Common error

While acceptable, "long time now" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational writing. In formal reports or academic papers, consider alternatives like "for a considerable period" or "for a significant duration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "long time now" is as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in specifying how long something has been happening. Ludwig AI validates this common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Sports

15%

Arts

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long time now" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase to emphasize the duration of an action or state. While versatile, it is more suited to neutral and informal contexts, such as news articles or conversations, than to highly formal academic or scientific writing. Common alternatives include "for some time" or "for quite a while". Its primary function is to indicate the length of time something has been occurring, often with an implication of change or consequence. Ludwig's examples across various sources highlight its wide applicability and consistent meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for some time

More general, indicating that a certain amount of time has passed.

for quite a while

Similar in meaning, but suggests a potentially longer or indefinite duration.

for a good while

Similar to 'quite a while', implies a notable duration.

for ages

Emphasizes a particularly long duration, often used informally.

for a considerable period

Emphasizes the length of the period, slightly more formal.

lately

More concise way of indicating something has happened recently.

in recent times

Focuses on the present relevance of a duration, implying a change from the past.

in recent years

Specifically refers to a duration measured in years, implying a long-term trend.

these days

Highlights a current trend or situation that has persisted.

as of late

Suggests a change happening recently.

FAQs

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

You can use "long time now" to express that something has been happening or existing for a considerable duration. For example, "I've known her for a "long time now"" or "It's been raining for a "long time now"".

What are some alternatives to "long time now"?

Alternatives include "for some time", "for quite a while", or "for a considerable period". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "long time now" grammatically correct?

Yes, "long time now" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability.

What is the difference between "long time now" and "long time since"?

"Long time now" emphasizes the duration of an ongoing situation, while "long time since" focuses on the elapsed time from a specific event. For example, "I've been working here for a "long time now"" (duration) versus "It's been a long time since I saw her" (elapsed time).