need a long period vs need a long time

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Need a long period' is less common and usually used in more formal or specific situations, while 'need a long time' is more commonly used in everyday language.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1323 views

This phrase is correct but less common. It is typically used in more formal or specific contexts.

"need a long period"

This phrase is used when referring to a specific period of time that is needed for something. It is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.

Show examples from the web [+]

You need a long period spiritual peace.
However, the other countries will still need a long period of internal development.
Will we need a long transition period?
And, also, when you're exes, sometimes you need a long cooling-off period.
This delimitation will result in some areas being removed from the delimited areas and these areas need a sufficiently long transitional period.
Whereas it is desirable, in order to increase transparency and to meet expectations for projects or groups of projects having important financial needs for a long period, that indicative multiannual programmes in specific sectors or fields should be drawn up;
Therefore the liberalisation needs to be over a long period of time so they can find alternative sources of income, said British Labour Member David Martin.
Calendars should not be longer than 10 years. If you really need such long periods you need to split them up.
The Europeans did not need long changeover periods.
They need long enough transitional periods as well as the continuation of specific measures for struggling sectors.
It adds up to a balanced and respectable proposal, and one that resolves the presenting problems to which I have already referred, although we have to take on board the need for long transitional periods as we move towards a standardised system.
Election support needs to be made part of a continual process that involves following political developments over a long period of time.
Right. And it'd need to be a place that has the resources to sustain a community like that for a long period of time.
We need to remember that human rights work is not just about dealing with contemporary, clearly visible issues: above all, it is painstaking work over a long period of time which also requires patience in order to get results.
I wonder how much faster we need to move in order to achieve this equality within the next hundred years, which even then would be quite a long period to have to wait.
Why is there a need to store data and for such a long period of time (1 year)? 5.
We have had a long period in which it was difficult getting everyone to understand the need for revising this directive, and revision has been blocked by a majority of the Council.
The public authorities could expect from the PPAs that MVM would be able to find enough energy to fulfil the needs of the public utility market over a long period of time.
Many countries ask for a long period of residence.
If (Invented name) has been prescribed for a long period and/ or at a high dose, a longer interval needs to be considered by your doctor.

Alternatives:

require an extended period
need a lengthy period

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday language.

"need a long time"

This phrase is used when referring to a general or unspecified amount of time that is needed for something. It is commonly used in everyday language.

Show examples from the web [+]

I am in favour of introducing an appropriate transition period because the production cycle in the automotive industry is complex and needs a long time to adapt.
Why did you need such a long time?
I have to admit, Madam President, that my problem with this question is that the sheer volume of the Commission's recent activities and initiatives on this issue is such that I would need a very long time to relate everything we are doing at present.
There has been a need for a very long time to initiate negotiations for a new agreement with Moldova.
You'll need to pose for a long time.
We don't need to know someone a long time in order to cook for them. It's an icebreaker.
This Commission proposal represents a major effort to reduce the excessive demands on our roads, particularly with regard to heavy goods transport in Europe. I have been continually stressing the need for that for a long time now.
Although, you probably won't need it for a very long time.
Firstly: the need for a rapid revision of the legal instruments governing the sector, in particular the "Television without Frontiers" Directive which has been in need of revision for a long time.
He has hallucinations, and may need long time to return normal.
To be effective, strategies need to cover sufficiently long time periods, provide opportunities at all age levels and be subject to revision and further development.
I've been alone for a long time, and my children need a firm hand.
Due to the characteristics of their application, high reliability is required and often, especially for telecom equipment, batteries need long operating times to balance electricity supply outages for several hours.
I've accepted with gratitude and joy. I've been alone for a long time, and my children need a firm hand.
Well, I shouldn't need much time as long as Henry's in there when I am.
From Sikander the First to the Second was a long time between kings... ...and a country needs a king like a king needs a crown.
Mr President, Commissioner Bolkestein, ladies and gentlemen, it is, of course, the case that Parliament completed the study a long time ago, and our conclusion from it is that we urgently need a training programme.
You might have a quick idea, but to be in deep thought about a problem and really consider a problem carefully, you need long stretches of uninterrupted time.
I have argued for a long time that we need to set demanding targets.
However, the Member States have known for a long time that they will need to adapt to the working times directive in the long run.

Alternatives:

require a long time
take a while
need a considerable amount of time

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need a long period vs need a long time