so long for

USAGE SUMMARY

'so long for' is not a correct English phrase.
You could use, however, the phrase 'so long as' to mean 'provided that'. For example: You can borrow my car, so long as you return it by tonight.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I waited so long for that".

The New York Times

We've waited so long for it".

The Guardian - Sport

"We've fought for so long for compassion and understanding.

Independent

I had been waiting so long for this moment.

The New York Times

What took so long for the scheme to emerge?

The New York Times

Possibly, the essays remained uncollected so long for a reason.

The New Yorker

"We have waited so long for them," he added.

The New York Times

"I've been waiting so long for this day," she said.

The New York Times

I've been waiting so long for my first goal.

The New York Times - Sports

"You only have so long for a honeymoon period".

The New York Times

Never have so many waited so long for so little.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "so long for" is frequently used, especially in informal contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. Prefer alternatives like "for so long" or restructure your sentence for clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "so long for" in formal writing or speech. It's best to use the grammatically correct form, "for so long". For example, instead of saying "I've waited "so long for" this", say "I've waited "for so long" for this".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so long for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating duration or the length of time something has occurred. Although Ludwig AI recognizes it as frequently used, it is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so long for" is commonly used to indicate duration, similar to phrases like "for so long" or "for a long time". However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting that while widespread, especially in informal contexts such as in the News & Media, its use should be approached with caution. In formal writing or speech, it's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives such as ""for so long"" or restructuring the sentence to ensure clarity and correctness. Despite its frequent appearance, prioritizing grammatical accuracy enhances credibility and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waited such a long time for

Emphasizes the duration of waiting.

waited for so long

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the action of waiting.

for such a long time

Highlights the extended period involved.

why did it take so long

Focuses on the reason for the delay.

waited a long time

Shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of waiting a while.

the reason it took so long

Emphasizes the reasons behind a prolonged duration.

for an extended period

Uses more formal language to indicate a long duration.

after a prolonged duration

Focuses on actions or events occurring after a long period.

took a considerable amount of time

Uses formal vocabulary to describe the length of time something required.

lasted for ages

Employs an informal expression to signify a lengthy duration.

FAQs

Is "so long for" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "so long for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate alternative is ""for so long"".

What does "so long for" usually mean?

While grammatically incorrect, "so long for" is often used to express the duration of an action or event, similar to saying "for a long time" or ""for so long"".

How can I correct a sentence that uses "so long for"?

To correct a sentence using "so long for", replace it with ""for so long"" or restructure the sentence to use "a long time" or another appropriate phrase to indicate duration.

Are there contexts where "so long for" is acceptable?

While common in informal speech, avoid "so long for" in formal writing. In casual conversation, it might be understood, but using correct grammar enhances clarity and credibility.