longer that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longer that" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It may be an attempt to compare lengths or durations, but it requires additional context or correction to be usable. Example: "This rope is longer than that one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You dance longer that way.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he wanted something longer that would offer a tad more coverage.

The New York Times

Not sure how much longer that will last.

Security Informatics

The longer that situation festers, the more likely the 500 scenario becomes.

Forbes

"The longer that lead time is, the greater the initial risk for Sony".

Forbes

The longer that is, the higher the interest rate credited for the period (see table).

Forbes

It takes longer that way and is more expensive, but it is definitely doable.

Science Magazine

The longer that bombs fall on Afghanistan, the stronger the sympathy for the militants.

Forbes

I wonder how much longer that will last.

Vice

How much longer that will last, I'm not quite sure".

Vice

She's not sure how much longer that will last.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "than" instead of "that" when making comparisons of length or duration. For example, use "longer than", not "longer that".

Common error

A common mistake is using "that" instead of "than" in comparative sentences. "Than" is used to compare two things, while "that" is used to introduce a clause or specify something. Always double-check your comparative sentences to ensure you're using the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longer that" is intended to function as a comparative, indicating that one thing exceeds another in length or duration. However, it fails grammatically because it uses "that" instead of the correct comparative conjunction "than". The Ludwig AI analysis confirms this grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "longer that" aims to compare lengths or durations, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""longer than"". As noted by Ludwig AI, the error lies in using "that" instead of the comparative conjunction "than". Although its intent can often be understood from context, its use is generally discouraged, particularly in formal writing. When writing, always remember that "than" is used for comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longer than

Corrects the grammatical error by using the standard comparative conjunction 'than'.

greater than

Offers a mathematically precise alternative emphasizing numerical or quantitative comparison.

more extended than

Provides a more formal and descriptive alternative for 'longer than'.

of greater duration than

Specifies a comparison of time, making it suitable for scenarios involving length or time spans.

lasting longer than

Emphasizes the continuous or prolonged nature of the subject in comparison.

exceeding in length

Focuses directly on physical length, suitable for contexts comparing dimensions.

more prolonged than

Highlights the extended or stretched-out quality of one thing compared to another.

a longer period than

Clarifies that the comparison involves periods or spans of time.

of superior length to

Offers a formal way to state that one object has a greater measurement than another.

more time than

Indicates a difference in the amount of time spent or required.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "longer than" in a sentence?

Use "longer than" to compare the length, duration, or extent of two things. For example, "This movie is "longer than" I expected".

What alternatives can I use instead of "longer that"?

Since "longer that" is grammatically incorrect, use the correct form, ""longer than"". Alternatives like "greater than" or "more time than" may also fit depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "longer than" and "longer that"?

"Longer than" is the grammatically correct form used for comparison, whereas "longer that" is incorrect. The word "than" is a conjunction used to make comparisons. The word "that" introduces a clause or refers to something previously mentioned.

Is it ever correct to use "longer that" in a sentence?

No, "longer that" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Always use ""longer than"" when making comparisons.