longer time

USAGE SUMMARY

"longer time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a period of time that is longer than usual. For example, "Due to the seriousness of the pandemic, we are asking customers to wait a longer time before entering the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pension funds prefer much longer time horizons.

The New Yorker

But what about longer time intervals?

Cornell University

Results: Longer Time to Treatment Entry was predictive of longer time to relapse.

Journal of Affective Disorders

However, this difference was practically eliminated for a longer time.

Agricultural Water Management

The sink may take a longer time to collect data.

Computer Standards & Interfaces

climate system on seasonal and longer time scales.

Columbia University

"But I want to make money over a longer time.

The New York Times

For longer time frames, Professor Coimbra's number crunching takes over.

The New York Times

(The results are no better over longer time periods).

The Economist

That, however will take a much longer time.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no longer time for small talk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longer time" when comparing durations or indicating an extended period is required or available. For example, "The experiment required a "longer time" to complete than initially anticipated."

Common error

Avoid using "longer time" when a more specific timeframe is needed. Instead of saying "it will take a "longer time"", provide an estimate, such as "it will take an additional week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longer time" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a duration that is greater than some reference point. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it modifies verbs indicating duration or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Unknown

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "longer time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate an extended duration. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. To improve clarity in writing, avoid vagueness by quantifying the "longer time" when possible. While the phrase is broadly acceptable, consider alternatives such as "extended duration" or "greater period" depending on the specific context for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more time

Simply indicates a greater quantity of time is needed or available.

extended duration

Focuses on the duration being extended.

additional time

Indicates that more time is being added or is available.

extra time

Indicates there is more time than initially expected.

greater period

Emphasizes the size or extent of the time period.

lengthier period

Stresses the greater length of the time period.

increased timeframe

Highlights the frame of time being larger.

prolonged interval

Stresses the length and continuation of the interval.

more extensive time

Emphasizes the breadth or scope of the time.

long duration

Focuses on the overall length of the time involved.

FAQs

How can I use "longer time" in a sentence?

Use "longer time" to refer to an extended duration or period. For example, "The process requires a "longer time" to complete accurately."

What's a good alternative to "longer time"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "extended duration", "greater period", or "increased timeframe".

Is it always necessary to specify the exact amount of "longer time"?

While not always necessary, providing a specific timeframe improves clarity. If possible, quantify the "longer time" by saying "an additional week" or "two extra days".

What is the difference between "longer time" and "more time"?

"Longer time" emphasizes duration, while "more time" simply indicates a greater quantity of time is needed. For example, "The project needs "more time" to finish" versus "The cooking process requires a "longer time" to fully develop the flavors."