was long considered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was long considered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that an idea, opinion, belief, etc. has been accepted or assumed for a long time, even if that is no longer the case. For example: "The seaside town of Blackpool was long considered the premier holiday destination in the UK, but today it has lost its crown to newer, more luxurious resorts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, kissing itself was long considered unhygienic.

The Economist

Hip-hop was long considered unfit for polite society.

The New York Times - Arts

He was long considered the elder statesman and dean of American psychiatry.

The New York Times

Paul was long considered the elder stateswoman of the feminist movement.

Britannica

Composers have also exceeded the seventy or eighty minutes' duration that was long considered the maximum.

The New Yorker

Mr. Frank's screenplay for "The Lookout" was long considered one of Hollywood's great unproduced scripts.

The New York Times

Palomar's Hale reflector, finished in 1948, was long considered the limit for ground-based telescopes.

The New York Times - Science

In warfare, the destruction of heritage was long considered mere collateral damage.

The Guardian

And in the end, it destroyed Lilco, a company where failure was long considered impossible.

The New York Times

The property is only four blocks from the ocean, but was long considered snakebit.

The New Yorker

What was long considered an obscure, unimportant painting suddenly became a valuable major work of art.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was long considered" to introduce a viewpoint or belief that has since changed or been challenged. This helps create context and highlight shifts in understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "was long considered" when discussing enduring truths or facts that are still valid. The phrase implies a past belief that may no longer be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was long considered" functions as a retrospective marker. It highlights that a particular viewpoint, belief, or assessment prevailed for a significant period in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was long considered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote a past belief or viewpoint, setting the stage for a contrast with current understanding. It maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for academic, news, and encyclopedic contexts. Remember, the key is to utilize the phrase when introducing an outdated, obsolete, or at least challenged perspective, providing appropriate historical context in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been regarded for a long time

Replaces "considered" with "regarded" and uses a slightly different tense structure.

used to be thought of as

Emphasizes the past belief about something, using "used to be" for added emphasis.

was previously believed to be

Highlights that a previous belief is now potentially outdated or incorrect.

was traditionally viewed as

Focuses on the traditional nature of the consideration.

had a longstanding reputation for being

Shifts the focus to reputation rather than direct consideration.

was historically seen as

Emphasizes the historical perspective of the consideration.

once held the status of

Indicates a former high standing or position.

was formerly understood as

Stresses a previous understanding.

was for many years regarded as

Adds emphasis on the duration of the consideration.

was established as

Implies that something reached a formal standing.

FAQs

How can I use "was long considered" in a sentence?

Use "was long considered" to introduce a concept or idea that people used to believe for a significant period. For example, "That movie "was long considered" a classic, but its popularity has waned in recent years."

What are some alternatives to "was long considered"?

You can use alternatives like "had been regarded for a long time", "used to be thought of as", or "was previously believed to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "was long considered" in formal writing?

Yes, "was long considered" is suitable for formal writing. It effectively conveys that a particular idea or belief was prevalent for an extended time. The phrase's appropriateness depends on the context rather than the level of formality.

What's the difference between "was long considered" and "is still considered"?

"Was long considered" implies that something used to be believed or valued, but that may no longer be the case. In contrast, "is still considered" means that the belief or valuation remains current and valid.