remain too long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain too long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something stays in a place or situation for an excessive amount of time. Example: "If you remain too long at the party, you might miss the last train home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Neither award is likely to stop the kind of speculation that invariably takes place whenever too many New York intellectuals remain too long in one room: Mr. Silvers can't stay on forever, presumably, so who is going to succeed him?

The New York Times - Books

The airport group's chief executive, Stephen Nelson, told the Guardian last month that Heathrow needed to keep hiring extra security staff because queues at departure lounges remain too long.

The Guardian - Business

The reviews, which mainly took issue with Rice's defiantly non-purist approach, led the National's artistic director, Nicholas Hytner, to describe the show's mostly male detractors as "dead white men", an outburst that then led to a furious blogosphere debate about whether some critics remain too long in their jobs and whether gender informs critical response.

Independent

Amid revelations about his personal life (he has admitted secretly fathering a child with a young lover who is now in an influential position at a Chinese firm with lucrative Bolivian contracts) and allegations of corruption among associates, many voters are clearly uneasy about allowing him to remain too long in power.

The Guardian

"When I was elected CEO, I said I hoped to have the perseverance to stay long enough to get the job done and the wisdom not to remain too long," Enrico said in a statement.

Forbes

If they remain too long below 32°C there is a high incidence of shrivelled wings and legs, and malformations of the abdomen [4], and adults may suffer from neural and behavioral insufficiencies [14] [17].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Many a man has remained too long on a desert island because of insufficient motivation regarding departure.

The New Yorker

Some see her as a political tool of Fidel Castro as well as someone who has remained too long in her job and who prevents certain dancers from working abroad.

The New York Times - Arts

He had no companion to tell him that he had remained too long in the red zone; nor was he held back by the worry that his actions might jeopardize the lives of others.

The New Yorker

It is obvious that some master craftsman has brought his genius to a field that had remained too long in the primitive stage of painting black, white, and blue streaks on transports and covering seige gun s with mosquito netting.

The New Yorker

I learned that a 1903 fire in a train in the Couronnes station had claimed 84 lives, as passengers who remained too long on the platform demanding refunds for their 3-sou tickets were asphyxiated -- briefly leading the system to be dubbed the "Necropolitain".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain too long" to emphasize the negative consequences of something staying in a particular state for an extended period. For example, "If the wound remains uncovered for too long, it could become infected."

Common error

Avoid using "remain too long" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "persist unduly" or "extend unnecessarily" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain too long" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing the duration of a state or action. It indicates that something has continued for an excessive period. Ludwig AI supports this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain too long" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something has persisted for an excessive duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to highlight a potentially negative situation resulting from prolonged continuation. While versatile, being used in contexts like news, science, and general writing, it is important to consider more formal alternatives in academic or business settings to maintain an appropriate tone. Remember to use this phrase to express concern or suggest a need for change. The semantic alternatives provided offer various ways to express similar meanings with nuanced differences, enhancing your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay for an extended period

Focuses on the duration of the stay, emphasizing the length of time.

linger excessively

Highlights the unnecessary or unwanted aspect of staying for a prolonged time.

continue for an undue duration

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of the length of time.

persist longer than necessary

Stresses the lack of need for the extended duration.

drag on needlessly

Focuses on the tedious and unnecessary continuation of something.

prolong one's stay

Highlights the action of extending a visit or presence.

outstay one's welcome

Implies that the continued presence is becoming unwelcome or bothersome.

tarry too much

Emphasizes lingering in a way that delays progress or action.

stretch out the time

Focuses on making an event or activity last longer.

be protracted

Highlights the extended and often unnecessary duration of something.

FAQs

What does "remain too long" mean?

The phrase "remain too long" signifies that something or someone has stayed in a place, situation, or state for an excessive or inappropriate amount of time, often leading to negative consequences or implications.

What are some alternatives to "remain too long"?

Alternatives to "remain too long" include "linger excessively", "stay for an extended period", or "persist longer than necessary", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "remain too long"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "remain too long". Ludwig AI confirms its usability. However, ensure it fits the tone and style of your writing, considering more formal alternatives when appropriate.

How can I use "remain too long" in a sentence?

You can use "remain too long" to describe a situation where something should have ended or changed sooner. For example, "If the symptoms "persist longer than necessary", you should consult a doctor".