out longer than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out longer than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the duration of time something has been happening or existing in relation to something else. Example: "The project has been delayed, and we expect it to be out longer than initially planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soon, negotiations were dragging out longer than many had expected.

The Washington Post

Vick voiced concern that he might be out longer than six weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

"I stuck it out longer than I should have," Dr. Dugan said.

The New York Times - Science

Morgan Stanley had held out longer than some of its competitors in eliminating jobs this year.

The New York Times

He could be out longer than that, perhaps until the All-Star Game.

The New York Times - Sports

Manager Willie Randolph suggested Lo Duca could be out longer than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Pennington, who started the second half, will certainly be out longer than that.

The New York Times - Sports

The Greek team held out longer than many had anticipated before Germany's Philipp Lahm scored in the 39th minute.

The New York Times

They can weather the storm, but they are stringing it out longer than most companies or people can afford to".

The New York Times - Sports

If your lines of fruit come out longer than one page, just join the pieces of paper together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What, you don't think I could do it?" "Well," Jerry says, "I know I could hold out longer than you".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing durations, ensure that both time frames are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "out longer than expected" or "out longer than the initial estimate."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses when employing the phrase "out longer than". For example, do not say "He is out longer than I thought he will be"; instead, use "He is out longer than I thought he would be" or "He has been out longer than I thought."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out longer than" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that something has extended or will extend for a greater duration than a specified reference point. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows it frequently used to compare durations in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sports

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out longer than" is a commonly used comparative expression to indicate that something is lasting or will last for a greater duration than a specified reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it has a neutral register, the phrase's primary function is to express a comparison of time spans, conveying that a certain event, activity, or state has lasted or will last for a more extended period than anticipated. When using "out longer than", ensure clear definition of both time frames being compared and avoid incorrect tense usages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting more than

This option is a direct synonym, focusing on the duration aspect.

taking more time than

This focuses on the action of consuming more time.

outlasting

This is a concise verb form implying a longer duration than something else.

for a greater duration than

This phrase is more verbose and stresses the length of time involved.

continuing for a longer period than

This phrase emphasizes the continuous nature of the extended duration.

exceeding the duration of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes surpassing a specific time frame.

for an extended period compared to

This option is more descriptive, highlighting a noticeable increase in time.

surpassing in duration

This alternative is formal and directly compares the lengths of time.

beyond the period of

This alternative is formal and emphasizes going past a specific timeframe.

persisting beyond

This alternative highlights the continuation of something past a certain point.

FAQs

How can I use "out longer than" in a sentence?

The phrase "out longer than" is used to compare the duration of something with a reference point. For example: "The negotiations were dragging "out longer than" many had expected".

What's a simple substitute for "out longer than"?

A simpler substitute for "out longer than" is "lasting longer than". You can also use "exceeding the duration of" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "out longer than"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "out longer than" in sentences where you want to express that something lasted or will last for more time than another thing.

What are common contexts where "out longer than" is used?

This phrase is commonly used when discussing time-related events, such as project timelines, injury recovery periods, or negotiation durations. For example: "Vick voiced concern that he might be "out longer than" six weeks".