longer than that

USAGE SUMMARY

'longer than that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the length of two or more things. For example: "This essay is 500 words long, but my last one was much longer than that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Longer than that.

The New York Times

He was longer than that.

The New Yorker

But probably no longer than that.

The Economist

Nobody should need longer than that.

Independent

Some linger longer than that.

The New York Times - Sports

Our marriage will last longer than that.

The New Yorker

"It's going to take longer than that.

The New York Times

But Matsuzaka has pitched longer than that.

The New York Times - Sports

Artie Washington had not been seen for longer than that.

The New York Times

In the end it took much longer than that.

The Guardian - Music

But the wait has been a lot longer than that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing physical lengths, ensure "longer than that" is appropriate. If precision is needed, use specific measurements instead of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "longer than that" without a clear antecedent. Ensure your audience understands what 'that' refers to. Without a specific reference, the phrase becomes vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longer than that" functions as a comparative, indicating that something exceeds a previously mentioned or understood duration. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in various contexts to express a duration exceeding a reference point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "longer than that" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate a duration exceeding a previously mentioned timeframe. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its presence across diverse sources, mainly news and media outlets. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides a clear reference for "that" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "more extended than that" or "of greater duration than that" offer more formal options. By keeping these points in mind, you can effectively incorporate "longer than that" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more extended than that

Replaces 'longer' with 'more extended', emphasizing the duration aspect.

exceeding that duration

Uses a more formal and precise wording to convey the same meaning.

surpassing that length

Replaces 'longer' with 'surpassing' and 'that' with 'length', focusing on physical length.

beyond that time frame

Replaces 'longer' with 'beyond' and 'that' with 'time frame', specifying a temporal context.

of greater duration than that

A more formal and verbose way of expressing the same comparison.

lasting more than that

Focuses on the action of lasting, rather than the state of being long.

for a more prolonged period

Emphasizes the sustained nature of the duration.

taking more time than that

Focuses on the time required for something to happen.

a more lengthy interval

Emphasizes the interval between two points in time.

an increased amount of time

Focuses on the amount of time, rather than the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "longer than that" in a sentence?

Use "longer than that" to compare the duration of something to a previously mentioned or understood period. For example, "I thought the meeting would last an hour, but it went on "longer than that"".

What's a less common way to say "longer than that"?

Alternatives include "more extended than that" or "of greater duration than that". These options are more formal and might be suitable for academic or professional contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "longer than that"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something lasted or will last more than a specific duration that's already understood or mentioned. The context must provide a clear reference for "that".

What is the difference between "longer than that" and "more than that"?

"Longer than that" specifically refers to duration or length of time, while "more than that" is a more general comparison that can refer to quantity, amount, or degree. For example, "I expected to pay $10, but it cost "more than that"" refers to the cost, not the duration.