for a long time vs in a long time

The correct phrase is 'for a long time.' 'For a long time' is used to indicate the duration of an action or state that has continued over an extended period. On the other hand, 'in a long time' is not a common phrase in English and does not convey the same meaning as 'for a long time.'

Last updated: July 20, 2024 • 1902 views

for a long time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the duration of an action or state that has continued over an extended period.

Use 'for a long time' to express the duration of an action or state that has continued over an extended period. It is often followed by a verb or a verb phrase.

Examples:

I have known her for a long time.
They have been living in that house for a long time.
He has been studying English for a long time.
She has been waiting for a long time.
We have been friends for a long time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 31, 2019 ... Hello everyone I would like to know whether"for long" and "for a long time"entail the same meaning. I have found some information on the ...
Sep 23, 2022 ... I ain't here for a long time, I'm here for a good time." #HereForAGoodTime : Terry Calonge.
Mar 11, 2018 ... I have played soccer for a long time. I have played soccer in a long time. What is the difference between the two sentences above in meaning?
May 27, 2022 ... Hi I really need help with my laptop. I'm a college student. I've been using this laptop for a long time now. One time during vacation, ...
Chatflow does not load for a long time, then appears to work fine. I am attempting to use the Chatflow widget on my site. To the best of my knowledge, this ...
Mar 15, 2023 ... ... r/starcitizen - Anybody know why im getting this CET running for a long time. Upvote 5. Downvote 16 comments
Dec 11, 2018 ... [MTA Problem] - Retry timeout exceeded and all hosts for 'domain.fr' have been failing for a long time (and retry time not reached).
1 day ago ... I haven't play Genshin for a long time and I just found out that.. r ...
Jan 27, 2020 ... Message today is databases have not been updated for a long time and last update was 5 days ago. No. Reset? Maybe. Installed a new activation ...

Alternatives:

for an extended period
for a while
for ages
for a considerable amount of time
for a prolonged period

in a long time

This phrase is not commonly used in English and does not convey the same meaning as 'for a long time.'

Show examples from the web [+]

You haven't seen your grandma in a long time.
Rachel hasn't wanted this much intimacy in a long time.
We hadn't seen Geoffrey in a long time.
It's his best performance in a long time.
We haven't spoken in a long time.
This sword hasn't tasted blood in a long time.
Jar's made contact with the largest human group we've found in a long time.
We haven't had guests in a long time.
It is the most disgraceful outburst I have heard from a Commissioner in a long time.
I'm trying to write in a more obvious and positive manner than I've written in a long time.
Man, I haven't been to a VIP joint like this in a long time.
He probably hasn't eaten in a long time.
In fact, things feel better than they have in a long time.
Look, I haven't practiced medicine or done that kind of thing in a long time.
We are now entering the best period that Europe has had in a long time, in decades, I might say.
And there, right in front of me, was the greatest act of kindness I had seen in a long time.
I haven't broken the rules in a long time, Doctor.
And she's the best anyone's seen in a long time, just like you.
We haven't talked that much in a long time.
And I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

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for a long time vs in a long time

for a long time

in a long time

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