not long enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'not long enough' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a duration of time, or a length, is insufficient. For example, "My vacation was only a week long, it was not long enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not long enough, though.

The New Yorker

My résumé's not long enough.

The New York Times

It is not long enough.

The New Yorker

But not long enough.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not long enough.

The New York Times

Her bed is not long enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not long enough, as it turns out.

The New Yorker

He hesitated and added, "Not long enough".

The New York Times - Sports

That's not long enough to get things right.

The Economist

(An hour, he says, is not long enough).

The New York Times

Phelps stopped, but not long enough to leave a puddle.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not long enough" to express a subjective judgment about the insufficiency of time or length, rather than a precise measurement. For instance, "The meeting wasn't long enough to cover all the topics" conveys dissatisfaction.

Common error

Avoid using "not long enough" when an objective measurement of length or duration is required. Instead of saying "The rope is not long enough", provide the actual length needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not long enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or implied noun, indicating that a particular duration or length is insufficient for a given purpose. Ludwig provides many real-world examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not long enough" is a versatile and commonly used adjectival phrase indicating that something lacks sufficient duration or length. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples across diverse sources such as news media, science, and formal publications affirms its correct usage. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is widely understood. The phrase is most frequently used in news media and scientific contexts. When using "not long enough", be mindful of the context and consider alternative phrasings like "insufficient time" or "too short" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite long enough

Adds nuance by suggesting it was close to being sufficient.

insufficient time

Focuses specifically on the lack of adequate time.

too short a period

Highlights the brevity of the timeframe.

not of sufficient length

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the length itself.

inadequate duration

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the lack of sufficient duration.

not ample time

Replaces "long" with "ample", conveying the same meaning.

time was lacking

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the absence of enough time.

a brief interval

Suggests a limited amount of time has passed.

the window was too narrow

Metaphorically expresses a limited opportunity or timeframe.

a fleeting moment

Implies a very short, almost imperceptible amount of time.

FAQs

How to use "not long enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not long enough" to express that a duration or length is insufficient for a specific purpose. For example, "The vacation was "not long enough" to fully relax" or "The cable is "not long enough" to reach the outlet".

What can I say instead of "not long enough"?

You can use alternatives such as "insufficient time", "too short", or "inadequate duration" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "not long enough" or "not enough long"?

"Not long enough" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Not enough long" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "not long enough" and "too short"?

"Not long enough" is more versatile, applicable to both time and physical length. "Too short" is often interchangeable, but may more commonly refer to physical length. The phrase "not long enough" implies that some additional length or duration is needed.