they lasted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they lasted for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the duration of an event, object, or situation. Example: "The fireworks display was spectacular; they lasted for over an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Sometimes they lasted for minutes.

The New York Times

They lasted for four hundred and fifty years — and then they vanished.

The New Yorker

The onset of systemic hypotension and bradycardia occurred within 1 min of NnV injection and they lasted for 1 35 min, depending on the NnV doses.

Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods

They lasted for three years, during which time he reputedly told Jones she'd never make it as an actress – though she has since denied this.

Independent

Elsewhere in the Europa League, Northern Ireland's Linfield were unable to hold on to their 1-0 home-leg leagainstnSwedenden's AIK Solna, although they lasted for 56 minutes until Kennedy Igboananike put Solna ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

They lasted for six years from 2005.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

How long do they last for?

The Guardian - Sport

We devise a simple parameter that represents both the areal extent of polynyas and how long they lasted for each year.

Nature

They only lasted for one series, due to ratings dropping to 1.6 million during their tenure.

Wikipedia

Patient-doctor relationships are generally more trustful when they have lasted for a few years [ 18].

BMC Medical Ethics

Pseudo steady states were observed, however they lasted only for few minutes and then switched back to 'real' steady states.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the length of time something existed or continued, ensure the subject clearly refers to what is being measured by "they lasted for".

Common error

Avoid using "they lasted for" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader knows exactly what "they" refers to in order to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they lasted for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the duration of an event, state, or object. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly describes how long something persisted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they lasted for" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express duration. As noted by Ludwig AI, its use spans across varied contexts, from formal scientific reports to casual news articles, underlining its widespread applicability. When using this phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the antecedent is easily identifiable. While alternatives exist, "they lasted for" remains a straightforward and effective choice for indicating how long something continued or existed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they continued for

Replaces "lasted" with "continued", focusing on the ongoing nature of the duration.

they persisted for

Emphasizes the endurance or resistance over a period of time.

their duration was

Uses a more formal and technical phrasing, highlighting the length of time.

they extended for

Highlights how something spreads out over a period of time.

they spanned

Conveys the idea of covering a specific period, often implying a range or scope.

they existed for

Focuses on the time frame in which something was present or in effect.

they held out for

Implies a struggle or resistance to maintain existence during the specified time.

the period of their existence was

A formal and detailed alternative expressing the time during which something existed.

the timeframe was

A more direct and concise way of indicating the period.

the duration spanned

Focuses on the length of time that the duration covered.

FAQs

How can I use "they lasted for" in a sentence?

Use "they lasted for" to indicate the duration of an event, object, or state. For example, "The negotiations were intense; "they lasted for" several days."

What's a more formal alternative to "they lasted for"?

A more formal alternative could be "their duration was". For example, instead of saying "The study sessions, "they lasted for" three hours", you could say "The duration of the study sessions was three hours".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they lasted during" instead of "they lasted for"?

While "during" indicates when something happened, "for" indicates the duration. "They lasted during" is not standard English. You should use ""they lasted for"" when specifying a period.

What can I say instead of "they lasted for a long time"?

Consider using alternatives such as "they were lengthy", "they were protracted", or "they continued for an extended period" depending on the context.