5.123 Adjuncts of duration

The following section explains ways of indicating how long something lasts or takes.

Some adverbs and adverbial expressions can be used as adjuncts to indicate the duration of an event or state. Here is a list of adverbs which are used to indicate duration:

• always, briefly, for ever, indefinitely, overnight, permanently, temporarily

• She glanced briefly at Lucas Simmonds.
• You won't live for ever.
• The flat had been let to them by one of Daisy's friends who was temporarily in America.

'Briefly' and 'permanently' can be used in the comparative.

• This new revelation had much the same outward effect, though more briefly.
• Urging them reduces the appetite further and more permanently.

The form 'long' is only used as an adverb in negative clauses, and questions.

• I haven't been in England long.
• How long does it take on the train?

In positive clauses, it is used in expressions such as 'a long time' and prepositional phrases such as 'for a long time'. However, the comparative and superlative forms 'longer' and 'longest' can be used in positive and negative clauses.

• Then of course you'll go with Parry. She's been your friend longer.
• I've been thinking about it a lot longer than you.
• She remained the longest.

In affirmative and negative 'if'-clauses, you can use 'for long'.

• If she's away for long we won't be able to wait.