not long

USAGE SUMMARY

"not long" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate a short amount of time, and is often used in questions or as an answer. For example: Q: How long have you been working here? A: Not long, just a few months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not long!

The New Yorker

"Not long," Karavaev admitted.

The New Yorker

not long ago.

The New Yorker

Not long enough, though.

The New Yorker

Is that not long?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not long ago 'Aug.

The New Yorker

"Why not?" "Long story".

The New Yorker

Not long at all.

The New York Times

Not long, it seems.

The New York Times

Likely not long.

The New Yorker

Not long," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not long" to emphasize the brevity of time, especially when contrasting it with a longer duration. For example, "The wait wasn't long, but it felt like an eternity."

Common error

Avoid using "not long" when referring to events that occurred significantly in the past. It's best suited for recent occurrences or near-future expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not long" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the duration or timing of an event. Ludwig provides examples where it clarifies recency or proximity in time, such as "Not long after, Anna dies."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not long" is a frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates a short duration or recent occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media, as well as Encyclopedia articles. While versatile, it's best suited for describing recent events or near-future expectations and should be avoided when referring to the distant past. Alternatives include "recently", "shortly after", and "in the near future". Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recently

Refers to something that happened in the immediate past.

shortly after

Indicates something happening soon after a specific event.

in a little while

Suggests an event will occur in the near future.

in the near future

Implies an event will occur relatively soon.

before long

Suggests something will happen sooner rather than later.

not so long ago

Emphasizes the recent nature of a past event.

in short order

Implies that something will be done quickly and efficiently.

soon

A simple and direct way to indicate something will happen quickly.

in a short time

Indicates a brief period of time will pass before something happens.

presently

Suggests that something will happen very soon or is currently happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "not long" to indicate that a period of time is short. For example, "I haven't been working here "not long"." or "It won't be "not long" before the project is completed."

What are some alternatives to saying "not long"?

Alternatives to "not long" include "recently", "shortly after", or "in the near future" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it is not long before"?

Yes, "it is not long before" is a grammatically correct construction used to express that something will happen soon. For instance, "It is "not long" before the meeting starts."

What's the difference between "not long ago" and "a long time ago"?

"Not long ago" refers to something that happened recently, while "a long time ago" refers to something that happened far in the past. They are antonyms indicating opposite ends of the timeline.