long
Something that is long measures a great distance from one end to the other. It is used to describe physical objects, time durations, or specific measurements in space.
Examples
3 of 5She has long hair that reaches her waist.
She has hair of great length reaching her middle.
The committee presented a long report regarding the new policy.
The group submitted an extensive document about the new rules.
It’s been a long day, so I’m going to bed early.
The day felt very extended and tiring, so I will sleep soon.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the letter 'L' in 'Long' as a line stretching out across the floor.
Quick Quiz
The flight to Australia was very ____, lasting over twenty hours.
Correct!
The correct answer is: long
Examples
She has long hair that reaches her waist.
everydayShe has hair of great length reaching her middle.
The committee presented a long report regarding the new policy.
formalThe group submitted an extensive document about the new rules.
It’s been a long day, so I’m going to bed early.
informalThe day felt very extended and tiring, so I will sleep soon.
The long-term effects of the experiment are still being studied.
academicThe results of the test over an extended period are under review.
We need to have a long discussion about the project timeline.
businessWe must have an extensive talk about the schedule of the work.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
as long as
provided that or on the condition that
long story short
to get to the point without all the details
so long
a way to say goodbye
Often Confused With
'Tall' is used for vertical height (people, buildings), while 'long' is used for horizontal distance or time.
'High' refers to distance above the ground, whereas 'long' refers to the extent of an object from end to end.
Usage Notes
Use 'long' for horizontal measurements (a long road) and time (a long movie). For the height of a person, always use 'tall' instead of 'long'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'I am 175cm long' when they should say 'I am 175cm tall.' 'Long' is also incorrectly used for altitude.
Memory Tip
Think of the letter 'L' in 'Long' as a line stretching out across the floor.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'lang', which has Germanic origins relating to length and distance.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, long hair is traditionally associated with femininity or specific religious vows, though this varies significantly by region.
Quick Quiz
The flight to Australia was very ____, lasting over twenty hours.
Correct!
The correct answer is: long
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More measurement words
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