after a very long time vs after so long

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning of something happening after a long period of time. The choice between them depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 291 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something happened after a significant period of time.

"after a very long time"

This phrase is used to emphasize the length of the time that has passed before an event occurred. It is suitable for formal or descriptive contexts.

Examples:

After a very long time, they finally met again.
The project was completed after a very long time of planning and development.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mr President, I am pleased and at the same time grateful that, after a very long time, the rapporteur has, after all, managed to find good compromises within the life of this Parliament.
After a very long time characterized by productions based on quantity - in which quality was a factor found in few viticultural contexts only - in every region of Italy can today be found remarkable quality productions.
But this distinction attained its full completion and realization only after a very long time.
After a very long time, they have done... what many people thought was impossible.
Three months ago, Kit came home after a very long time.
Perhaps in a very ancient time someone found out, after a very long time, some forgotten "mosto cotto", that had a natural acetification process, with its unmistakable sweet-sour taste.
We finally got to be together after a very long time.
Finally after a very long time, she was granted a dispensation from the Eucharistic fast.
I should like however to note that we have already come a long way and what is more, after a very long time.
The rules in force condemn us to slow, muddled procedures where the most effective measure - a fine - is rarely applied and only after a very long time, decades even.
This eigenvalue corresponds to the eigenvector, which represents the quasispecies consisting of sequences 2, 3, and 4, which will be present in equal numbers after a very long time.
Once the contact took place with the virus, the cat presented with fever and increased lymph node in a first step, then, after a very long time (even years), presenting signs related to diseases resulting from the immune deficiency syndrome.
Even aromas of dried fruit, such as hazelnut or dried fig, can be found during the aging process in a red wine and these aromas can be perceived after a very long time of aging.
All of us, but only after a very Long time.
Now and then (so the common belief holds) a passing star nudges one of these objects sunwards, and after a very long time, it reaches the Sun's vicinity.
Welcome to Aleppo, where hope and sorrow are intimately intertwined and hard to dissociate, but where life has finally returned, after a very long time, too long.

Alternatives:

after a long time
after a considerable amount of time
after an extended period
after a lengthy period
after a prolonged period

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey the idea of something happening after a long period of time.

"after so long"

This phrase is more informal and colloquial compared to 'after a very long time'. It is suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.

Examples:

I haven't seen you in ages! It's great to catch up after so long.
After so long without a break, she finally took a vacation.

Show examples from the web [+]

Must be weird, though- following your sister here after so long.
What a nice surprise to see Danielle after so long.
Estella was very curious to see you again after so long.
It's good to be together around this table again after so long.
I mean, look, it's got to be complicated, reestablishing a relationship after so long, but the fact that you're both open to it is impressive.
You still don't trust me after so long?
Because it was after so long.
They can't possibly, after so long.
We were pampered as some of the family who came back after so long.
I don't know... seeing everyone... after so long.
's wonderful to be in Kyoto again after so long.
Winnowing out the wheat from chaff is always a challenge after so long in the earth.
Forced to. That's all he's got left after so long.
So is it weird being home after so long?
I will be in LA until Wednesday on business and it would be good to see you after so long.
Why choose to be apart after so long?
It's just seeing everyone after so long... curious Kira...
I'm very curious to see my old college again after so long...
It is very good indeed to see that this directive has been resurrected after so long.
You know what? It's so good to be back in New Orleans after so long.

Alternatives:

after a long time
after a considerable amount of time
after an extended period
after a lengthy period
after a prolonged period

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after a very long time vs after so long