over a long term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'over a long term' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a period of time that is longer than the usual. For example, "This policy will bring long-term benefits to the community over a long term."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Over a long term, Semarang Coastal and Lowland areas have experienced salt water intrusion.

Journal of Hydrology

However, its large volume change during the Li-Sn/Na-Sn alloying and de-alloying processes will result in a fast capacity degradation over a long term cycling.

Journal of Power Sources

The extreme hydrological events that possibly ride over a long term climate cycle bring the changes in the landscape that impact human societies more closely.

Geomorphology

However, people in endemic areas are exposed to the vector over a long term and may experience sand fly-free periods.

International Journal for Parasitology

Ground transportation is confirmed as quite insensitive to high carbon prices, even when such prices are applied over a long term.

Energy Policy

The true version states that a glut of goods cannot persist over a long term because the production of goods will motivate producers to buy other goods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Mr. Ryan said before the White House meeting that Republicans were now willing to formally negotiate with Senate Democrats over a long-term, comprehensive budget framework.

The New York Times

Sheng at al. [11] designed a method based on Bayes model to predict the mean load over a long-term time interval.

Journal of Cloud Computing

In China, parrots have been raised and kept over a long-term history for companionship and entertainment [ 18].

BioMed Research International

Shareholders should give the board and management freedom to make decisions over a long-term time horizon.

Harvard University

To assure safety over a long-term service period, analysis of fatigue behavior under alternative bending is a key requirement.

Applied Ocean Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies or goals, clarify the specific duration implied by "over a long term". This helps avoid ambiguity and sets realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "over a long term" to justify decisions that provide immediate benefits but create future problems. Ensure the strategy truly considers future implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over a long term" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the duration or timeframe within which an action, process, or condition occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over a long term" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify that an action or process takes place across an extended period. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. To enhance clarity, consider specifying the duration, and avoid using the phrase to justify short-sighted decisions. Alternative phrases such as "in the long run" or "over an extended period" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the long run

Focuses on the eventual outcome or consequence after a considerable period.

over an extended period

Emphasizes the length of the duration involved.

across a long timeframe

Highlights the span of time during which something occurs.

for a prolonged duration

Stresses the continuous nature of the lengthy period.

in the long-term

Functions as an adjective describing something related to a distant future.

over the long haul

Implies perseverance and sustained effort throughout a lengthy period.

with a long-term perspective

Emphasizes the consideration of future implications and outcomes.

throughout an extensive time

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the time period involved.

during a lengthy course

Suggests a progression or series of events occurring over a considerable time.

on a long-term basis

Indicates that something is established or planned to continue for a significant duration.

FAQs

How can I use "over a long term" in a sentence?

You can use "over a long term" to describe processes, effects, or plans that extend across a considerable duration. For example, "The effects of climate change will be felt "over a long term"."

What are some alternatives to "over a long term"?

Alternatives include "in the long run", "over an extended period", or "for a prolonged duration". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in the long term" and "over a long term"?

"In the long term" is often used as an adjective (e.g., "long-term goals"), while "over a long term" is a prepositional phrase describing the duration of something (e.g., "benefits realized over a long term").

Can "over a long term" be quantified?

While "over a long term" is generally used to indicate a significant duration, it is often helpful to provide more specific details (e.g., "over a period of 10 years") to increase clarity.