so long that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so long that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is very long in duration or distance. Example 1: "The line for the new ride at the theme park was so long that we decided to skip it and try something else." Example 2: "The movie was so long that I fell asleep halfway through." Example 3: "The hike was so long that our legs were tired by the time we reached the top of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So long, that is, as the nonbelievers remain humble.

The New York Times - Magazine

Coming from him, and being around him for so long, that was big.

The New York Times - Sports

The proofs were getting so long that progress was glacial.

The Economist

"The queues are so long that people are passing out.

The Guardian

He refused for so long that things became somewhat awkward.

The New York Times - Style

But I've been dealing with this for so long that I can do a decent job.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I've been fencing for so long that it's become part of my life.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Unfortunately, we've been doing this so long that some of these links are likely broken.

Yale University

But the situation in Iraq remained precarious for so long that Bahrani's vision remained just that.

Columbia University

Sometimes an entrepreneur tries to raise money, and it takes so long that their idea dies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I had forgotten about it for so long that I had to search for it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so long that" to clearly connect a lengthy duration or distance to its consequence, ensuring the relationship is explicit and easy to understand. For instance, "The meeting was "so long that" many participants started to lose focus".

Common error

Avoid using "so long that" repeatedly within a short span of text. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your sentence structures and use synonyms like "such a long time that" or rephrase to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so long that" functions as a conjunction, connecting a clause that specifies a duration with a clause that expresses a consequence or result. Ludwig AI confirms that the structure is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so long that" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to establish a clear link between a prolonged duration and its resulting consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. It's common across various writing styles and source types, particularly in news, academia, and general knowledge contexts. While widely applicable, remember to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrasing to maintain writing variety and engagement. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such a long time that

Similar meaning, but emphasizes duration using "time" explicitly.

for such a prolonged period that

This alternative emphasizes the extended duration more explicitly.

for such a considerable time that

Uses "considerable" to indicate a notable duration.

lasting for such an extended period that

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the duration.

for such a lengthy duration that

Uses "lengthy" to highlight the considerable duration.

persisting for so long that

Focuses on the continuation of something over a significant time.

for so great a duration that

A more formal way of expressing a very long time period.

enduring for so long that

Highlights the ability to withstand or last through a long time.

it took so much time that

This rephrasing puts stress on the time investment required.

to such an extent that

Focuses on the degree or magnitude rather than the duration.

FAQs

How can I use "so long that" in a sentence?

Use "so long that" to indicate that something's duration or extent leads to a specific result. For example, "The lecture was "so long that" many students started to feel drowsy".

What phrases are similar to "so long that"?

Similar phrases include "such a long time that", "to such an extent that", and "for such a prolonged period that", all indicating a consequential duration.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "so long that"?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "so long that" is uncommon and can sound awkward. It's generally better to include the phrase within the sentence for clearer flow. Consider restructuring the sentence for better readability.

What is the difference between "so long that" and "because"?

"So long that" indicates a result caused by an extended duration, while "because" simply indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. "The process took "so long that" we missed the deadline" emphasizes the time taken. "We missed the deadline because the process took long" is a more general statement of causality.