| 词组 | long and for a long time |
| 释义 | Contents overview long and (for) a long timea long time and longa long time and long and long 51710007for a long time and longfor a long time and long and long 51710662517 long and (for) a long time1long in questions and negativesLong (meaning '(for) a long time') is most common in questions and negative clauses, and with restrictive words like hardly, seldom.Have you been waiting long?It doesn't take long to get to her house.She seldom stays long.2(for) a long time in affirmative clausesIn affirmative clauses we usually prefer (for) a long time.I waited (for) a long time, but she didn't arrive. (not I waited long …)It takes a long time to get to her house. (not It takes long …)3long in affirmative clausesHowever, long is used in affirmative clauses with too, enough, as and so, and in a few other common expressions.The meeting went on much too long.I've been working here long enough. Time to get a new job.You can stay as long as you want.Sorry I took so long.I'll be back before long.She sits dreaming all day long. (also all night/week/year long)Long is also used in affirmative clauses to modify adverbs and conjunctions.We used to live in Paris, but that was long before you were born.Long after the accident he used to dream that he was dying.Long ago, in a distant country, there lived a beautiful princess. (rather formal)4for a long time in negative clausesWhen for a long time is used in a negative clause, it sometimes has a different meaning from for long. Compare:–She didn't speak for long. (= She only spoke for a short time.)She didn't speak for a long time. (This could mean 'She was silent for a long time' – the same as For a long time she didn't speak).–He didn't work for long. (= He soon stopped working.)He didn't work for a long time. (This could mean 'He was unemployed for a long time' – the same as For a long time he didn't work).The reason for the difference is to do with the 'scope of negation': in the first and third sentences, not goes with for long, but in the second and fourth for a long time is outside the influence of not (it could go at the beginning of the clause).5How long are you here for?Questions like How long are you here for? refer to the future. Compare:'How long are you here for?''Until the end of next week.''How long have you been here for?''Since last Monday.'6comparativeThe comparative of for a long time is (for) longer.I hope you'll stay longer next time. (not … for a longer time.)For no longer, 535.Much, many and far are also more common in questions and negative clauses ( 165, 461). Previous Next |
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