too long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'too long' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used to describe an excessive duration in time. For example, "I have been waiting in line for too long; I'm ready to leave now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Too long).

The New York Times

Toasting takes too long.

The New York Times

— Sex isn't too long.

The New Yorker

It's been too long.

The New York Times

Sometimes too long.

The New Yorker

"It's not too long".

The New Yorker

We exhaled too long.

The New Yorker

It takes too long.

The New Yorker

Maybe too long.

The New York Times - Arts

"That's way too long".

The New York Times

"Hanukkah's too long.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too long" to describe time, ensure you clearly specify what the time period refers to. For example, instead of saying "It's too long", specify "The waiting time is too long".

Common error

Avoid using "too long" without providing context. Saying "It's too long" without specifying what 'it' refers to can confuse readers. Provide clear context to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too long" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, expressing that a duration or length exceeds an acceptable or desirable limit. Ludwig examples showcase this in various contexts, confirming its adverbial role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too long" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something has exceeded a desirable duration. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "excessive duration" or "unduly lengthy" to vary your language. The phrase is suitable for both informal and neutral registers, making it a versatile tool in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive duration

Focuses on the duration itself being beyond acceptable limits.

unduly lengthy

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of the length.

overextended period

Highlights the prolonged nature of the time frame.

dragging on

Implies a tiresome or unwelcome continuation.

protracted

A more formal way of saying extended or prolonged.

lasting an age

An idiomatic expression for something that feels very long.

taking forever

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of slowness.

inordinately long

Highlights that something is long to an excessive degree.

undesirably long

Focuses on the negative aspect of something being long.

unacceptably drawn out

Emphasizes that the length is not tolerable.

FAQs

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

You can use "too long" to express that the duration of something is excessive or undesirable. For example, "The movie was "too long"" or "I waited "too long" for the bus".

What are some alternatives to saying "too long"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "excessive duration", "unduly lengthy", or "dragging on" as alternatives to "too long".

Is it grammatically correct to use "too long"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "too long". It is a common and accepted phrase in English to indicate that something has exceeded a reasonable or acceptable duration.

What does "too long" mean?

"Too long" means that something has extended for an excessive or undesirable amount of time or length. It implies that the duration is beyond what is considered acceptable or reasonable.