rather long time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather long time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a duration that feels extended or significant, often in a subjective context. Example: "I waited for a rather long time before receiving a response to my inquiry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

It has been a rather long time coming.

The New York Times

First up was Salma Hayek, who sat with him (I thought) for a rather long time.

The New Yorker

In terms of bone tissue engineering, the use of somatic stem cells was reported a rather long time ago.

Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering in Dental Sciences

It isn't all that surprising chapbooks are still popular today as they have been around for a rather long time.

The Guardian - Books

Such an energy exchange, if it takes place for a rather long time, could result in crack formation in the shell, and finally to its failure.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

Hostess Brands is back in bankruptcy again, arguing that its last filing did not really accomplish all that much, despite taking a rather long time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Despite the rather long time-scale of this potential second wave, we did not find any scenarios which led to a self-sustaining epidemic as classified by the basic reproduction number <img src="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/asset?id=info?doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0015626.e127.PNG" class= inline-graphic"/>.

Plosone

Cons: apps slow to boot, shutter slow to fire, rather long processing time.

The Guardian - Tech

One of the main disadvantages of the conventional process combining sedimentation and filtration is the rather long residence time.

Desalination

The European Pharmacopoeia describes a liquid chromatography (LC) method for the quantification of sulindac, using a quaternary mobile phase including chloroform and with a rather long run time.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Austenite grains nucleate after rather long incubation time both at pearlite colony boundaries and at the ferrite/cementite interfaces within a pearlite.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather long time" to express a subjective feeling about the duration, implying it's longer than expected or desired. For example, "The project took a "rather long time" to complete, causing frustration among the team."

Common error

Avoid using "rather long time" in extremely formal or scientific contexts where a more precise measurement of time is required. Opt for specific durations or more technical terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather long time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the duration of an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather long time" is a common and grammatically sound way to express duration, often implying it was somewhat longer than expected. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression. It sees frequent usage across various contexts, including scientific publications, news articles, and more informal communications. While its register is generally neutral, writers should consider more precise language in highly formal or technical writing. When aiming to convey subjective feelings about duration, the term "rather long time" proves a handy tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy period

A more direct synonym, focusing on the fact that the time is long.

extended duration

Focuses on the prolonged nature of the time.

considerable duration

Emphasizes the length of the period involved.

substantial period

Similar to considerable duration, but might imply a more significant impact.

appreciable time

Suggests the time is noticeable or important.

elongated span

Focuses on the period between two points in time.

protracted timeframe

Implies a process or activity that has been deliberately extended.

significant delay

Highlights the impact of the time on an event's timeline.

marked delay

The delay is easily observed.

a good while

An informal alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "rather long time" in a sentence?

You can use "rather long time" to describe an activity or event that took more time than expected. For example, "It took a "rather long time" to get through customs at the airport."

What phrases are similar to "rather long time"?

Similar phrases include "lengthy period", "extended duration", or "considerable time", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "rather long time" in formal writing?

While "rather long time" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "prolonged period" or "extended duration" might be more suitable for academic or professional writing.

What does "rather" imply in the phrase "rather long time"?

The word "rather" adds a degree of subjectivity, suggesting that the duration was somewhat longer than expected or desired. It softens the statement compared to saying simply "long time".