much longer

USAGE SUMMARY

"much longer" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically indicates a comparison of length, as in: "My fingers are much longer than yours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But how much longer, how much longer?

The New York Times - Books

Maybe not much longer.

The New York Times

Much longer, hopefully.

The New York Times

For how much longer?

The Economist

That takes much longer.

The New York Times - Science

How much longer?

The New Yorker

Not for much longer.

The New York Times - Arts

Not much longer.

Princeton University

And potentially for much longer.

Independent

ReprintsNot, perhaps, for much longer.

The Economist

But for how much longer?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much longer", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared in terms of duration or length.

Common error

Avoid using "much longer" in situations where the reference point for comparison is ambiguous or missing. Always provide a clear point of reference to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much longer" primarily functions as a comparative modifier, indicating that something has a greater duration or length than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much longer" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a significant difference in length or duration. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in news, academic writing, and general conversation. To ensure clarity, always make sure the context provides a clear comparison. While versatile, more formal alternatives like "significantly longer" or "considerably longer" exist for professional or academic contexts. Ultimately, "much longer" is a reliable and effective way to communicate extended durations or lengths when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably more time

Emphasizes the increased amount of time required, using "considerably" to strengthen the duration.

far more lengthy

Uses a more descriptive adjective than "longer" to emphasize the extended nature.

a good deal longer

This uses "a good deal" as a quantifier, implying a noticeable increase in length or duration.

a significantly greater duration

Replaces "much longer" with a more formal and precise expression emphasizing the increased duration.

appreciably longer

Similar to "much longer" but emphasizes the noticeable or measurable increase in duration.

considerably prolonged

Focuses on the action of prolonging something, emphasizing a deliberate extension of time.

a substantially extended period

Similar to "much longer" but uses a more formal tone and focuses on the extended nature of the period.

markedly extended

Highlights the noticeable extension of time or distance, emphasizing the difference.

noticeably more protracted

Replaces "much longer" with a more formal and descriptive term, highlighting the extended and sometimes tedious nature.

a vast amount of time

Implies a substantial increase in the duration of the time or distance.

FAQs

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

"Much longer" is typically used to compare durations or lengths, as in, "The movie was "much longer" than I expected" or "The wait was "much longer" than anticipated."

What's a more formal way to say "much longer"?

More formal alternatives include "significantly longer", "considerably longer", or "substantially longer", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "much longer"?

While grammatically correct, using "much longer" without a clear point of comparison can be confusing. Always ensure the context makes the comparison obvious.

What's the difference between "longer" and "much longer"?

"Longer" simply indicates an increased duration or length, while ""much longer"" emphasizes a significantly greater difference in duration or length.