not last long

USAGE SUMMARY

"not last long" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that does not continue for a long period of time. For example, "The party didn't last long; everyone went home by 11."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This did not last long.

The New York Times

That did not last long.

The New York Times

It did not last long.

The New York Times - Sports

Resistance did not last long.

The Economist

That may not last long.

The New York Times

This may not last long.

The Economist

The position did not last long.

The New Yorker

This relative reprieve did not last long.

The New Yorker

Her break did not last long.

The New Yorker

The party did not last long.

The New York Times

But the bonhomie did not last long.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider specifying the reason for the brevity. For example, "The initial enthusiasm did not last long due to unforeseen challenges."

Common error

Avoid using "not last long" without a clear reference. Saying "It did not last long" is confusing if the reader doesn't know what 'it' refers to. Always ensure the subject is clearly defined to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not last long" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an event, state, or object has a short duration. Ludwig's examples show its use to describe the limited duration of various phenomena, from political stability to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not last long" is a versatile phrase used to describe the brief duration of events, states, or objects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across a variety of sources. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. To ensure clarity, specify the subject and, when possible, the reason for the brevity. While alternatives like "be short-lived" or "be temporary" exist, "not last long" provides a straightforward and widely accepted way to convey impermanence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be short-lived

Replaces the original phrase with a more direct adjective describing the duration.

not continue for long

More explicit in stating the lack of prolonged continuation.

not endure

Focuses on the lack of persistence or continuation of something.

have a brief duration

More formal, highlighting the limited time span.

not remain for an extended period

A more verbose way to express a lack of lasting presence.

be temporary

Emphasizes the transient nature of something.

be transient

Focuses on the characteristic of something that passes quickly.

be fleeting

Emphasizes the momentary or transient quality of something.

fade quickly

Highlights the rapid disappearance or decline of something.

prove ephemeral

A more sophisticated and literary way of saying something is short-lived.

FAQs

How can I use "not last long" in a sentence?

You can use "not last long" to describe something that has a short duration. For example, "The initial excitement "did not last long" because the project faced unexpected setbacks".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "not last long"?

Alternatives include "be short-lived", "be temporary", or "have a brief duration", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not last long"?

Yes, "not last long" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to indicate that something does not endure for an extended period.

In what contexts is "not last long" typically used?

"Not last long" is used across various contexts, including news reporting, encyclopedic entries, and general discussions, to convey the fleeting nature of events, conditions, or periods. Examples in Ludwig show its presence across "news and media" and "encyclopedias".