not that long

USAGE SUMMARY

"not that long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a comparison between two lengths of time or distances. For example, "I have known him for not that long, but it feels like an eternity".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Probably not that long.

Vice

Not that long.

The New York Times

It's not that long ago.

The New York Times

So it's not that long.

The New York Times

It was not that long ago.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not that long, really.

The New York Times

But not that long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Not that Long Island is that safe.

The New York Times - Style

Not that it lasted long.

The New York Times

Not that it lasts long.

The New Yorker

It won't take criminals that long".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not that long", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the comparison. This makes the statement more meaningful and less ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "not that long" without a clear frame of reference. What seems like a short time to one person may seem like a long time to another. Always provide context for your comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not that long" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an event or state. It typically implies a comparison to an expected or assumed longer duration, as affirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not that long" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that serves to indicate a relatively short duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and can be effectively employed in various writing contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, with a notable presence in academic settings as well. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context offers a clear reference point for the duration being described to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a long time

This alternative is a more straightforward substitution, directly replacing "that long" with "a long time".

not very long

This alternative uses "very" to emphasize the short duration, adding a degree of intensity.

a short while

This alternative uses a noun phrase to convey the idea of a brief period.

a brief period

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the limited duration.

not so long ago

This alternative emphasizes that the event or time in question is relatively recent.

in the recent past

This alternative is more formal and refers to a time that is not distant from the present.

just recently

This alternative focuses on the recency of the event or time.

a little while ago

This alternative is more colloquial and implies a slightly longer duration than "a short while".

not ages ago

This alternative is informal and suggests that the time in question was not very far in the past.

in recent times

This alternative is more formal and refers to a period closer to the present.

FAQs

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

You can use "not that long" to indicate that a period of time is relatively short. For example, "I've known her for "not that long", but we're already good friends".

What's a less common way to say "not that long"?

While "not that long" is fairly common, you could use phrases like "a short while" or "a brief period" to express a similar idea with slightly different nuance.

Which is more appropriate, "not that long" or "not very long"?

Both "not that long" and "not very long" are acceptable, with the choice depending on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Not very long" might slightly intensify the shortness of the duration.

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

"Not that long ago" and "not long ago" are nearly interchangeable, both indicating a relatively recent time. The inclusion of "that" doesn't significantly alter the meaning.