Words that describe are adjectives, words that name are nouns, and words that show action are verbs. Now we will examine how the word “long” acts as an adjective, noun, or verb.
The word “long’’ is considered as an adjective when it describes a naming word- singular or plural or even a noun phrase by providing more details about them. It is a noun when it is utilized for giving ideas. It is a verb when it indicates action.
Now we will explain some interesting facts related to “long” as an adjective, noun, or verb along with when and examples for better understanding.
When is “long” an adjective?
Words that are used for qualifying or modifying the naming words are adjectives. Here let us check if the term “long’’ is an adjective or other.
“Long’’ is considered to be an adjective when it modifies a noun that it precedes. As an adjective it is applied to mention the amount of time, giving the measurement of length.
We can use “long’’ as an adjective in the situations that follow and help us to learn it very well.
| Situations when “long’’ is used as an adjective | Example | Explanation |
| 1. To indicate lasting for a long amount of time. | While speaking at the conference the speaker took a long pause before he spoke. | In the cited example, the term “long’’ is qualifying the noun “pause’’ and fulfills the features of an adjective. |
| 2. To show covering a large distance. | It is still a long way to reach the town. | The instance that was just cited indicates that the word “long’’ serves as an adjective that describes the noun “way’’. We get to know that the adjective shows the covering of a large distance. |
| 3. To show the time when we have a long memory that happened many years ago. | The team had won the trophy a long before another tournament began. | The sentence that is presented here shows that the term “long’’ is used as a qualifying word. It describes “time’’ though it is not placed before the noun. |
| 4. To measure a large amount from one to the other. | The tourists had walked into a long narrow hall to arrive at the temple. | Here the term “long’’ is used as an adjective that describes the noun “hall’’. Through the term, we get to know the measure of an amount. |
| 5. To refer to a long book, letter, report, etc that has a lot of pages. | Katrina has written a long letter to me. | Here the reference to the term “long’’ indicates that it is being used as an adjective that describes the noun “letter’’. |
| 6. To refer to long dresses, trousers, sleeves, etc that cover our arms or legs. | My daughter bought a long skirt from the shopping mall. | The term “long’’ is used as an adjective in the given sentence because it describes the noun “skirt’’. The adjective is used as an attributive adjective. |
| 7. To say or ask about the amount of time that something lasts. | We went for a picnic that was about an hour-long journey. | Here the term “long’’ is used as an adjective that describes the noun “journey. It gives us extra information about the noun. |
Is “long” a descriptive adjective?
“Long’’ is an adjective that comes in a different context. Adjectives are differentiated based on their activities. Let us check if “long’’ is a descriptive adjective or not.
The term “long’’ is definitely taken into consideration as a descriptive adjective as it is used to modify the noun that it precedes. Owing to the meaning the adjective “long’’ is used in contexts on the description of time, distance, or length.
Let us see the tabular format below to learn the usage of “long” as a descriptive adjective very well.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. As my house is a long distance from the house, you will have to take a taxi to come here. | The term “long’’ serves as a descriptive adjective because it is placed just before the noun “distance’’ and gives us its extra quality. |
| 2. We need a good long bath on hot summer days. | The term “long’’ is used as a descriptive adjective because it is placed just before the noun “bath’’ and provides us its additional information. |
| 3. Soumen is the one who thinks about it for a long time to calculate it. | Here the term “long’’ serves the type of a descriptive adjective because it describes the noun “time’’ and gives us extra information about it. |
| 4. In the program I had to wait a long time to see the singer. | The term “long’’ is used as a descriptive adjective because describes the noun “time’’. |
| 5. Grandfather nodded his head and asked how long I slept. | In this sentence, the term “long’’ acts as a descriptive adjective because it is used to characterize a specific noun “time’’. Adjectives need not be always placed before a noun. |
| 6. Hary was ready for a long conversation. | The term “long’’ is used as a descriptive adjective because it describes the noun “conversation’’ and gives us additional information about it. |
| 7. Moupriya has spent her life looking at long-term service. | The term “long’’ serves the type of a descriptive adjective because it describes the noun “term’’ here. |
Is “long” a noun?
Some words can act as more than one part of speech in different places or situations. Here we will find out whether the term “long’’ can act as a noun or not.
The term “long’’ can be used as a noun to refer to distance or time. It is also used as a noun in the forms “length’’ and “longing’’. Both these forms indicate abstract ideas.
Let us see the table to acquire sound knowledge on the usage of “long’’ as a noun.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. It does not take long to get at there. | In the given sentence, the noun “long’’ is in use to show the measurement of time. |
| 2. The length of the fence surprised all of us. | Here the term “length’’ is used as a noun that refers to the measure of the fence that surprised all of us. |
| 3. It was not long enough to realize my mistake. | Here the term “long’’ is being used as a noun that refers to the measure of time. |
| 4. We have a desire for longing for a sea voyage. | Here the term “longing’’ is being used as a noun that refers to an abstract idea for which we have a strong desire. |
| 5. We were amazed at the length of the fence in the castle. | The term “length’’ is used as a noun that indicates an idea. It gives us the measure of the table. |
Is “long” a verb?
Any word that refers to an action, being, or having is called a verb. Let us explain so that we will get to know if the word “long’’ is a verb or not.
The word “long’’ is certainly applied as a verb because it can be used to convey action. It is used as a transitive verb to express its meaning.
When is “long’’ a verb?
The term “long’’ is definitely considered as a verb when it is in the function of action. It is applied as a verb in the following situations-
- The term “long’’ can be a verb when it refers to taking a long position.
- The term “long’’ can be a verb when it is used to refer to waiting for something or someone.
- The term “long’’ is a verb when it refers to something to aspire to.
Let us study the examples in the table below where the usage of the word “long” as a verb is discussed.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. Saikat has been longing to be a hero since his teenage. | The word “long’’ is not an adjective here as it is not used to modify any naming word. Rather is used as an action word i.e. verb. |
| 2. It is freezing outside, and we long for hot sunshine. | Here the term “long’’ has been applied as a verb referring to an action. The verb is in the present tense. |
| 3. My mother longs to see my brother again. | The term “longs’’ serves as a verb because it serves a certain action. The simple present tense is used here. |
| 4. This is the excitement of the film that secretly Dipti longs for. | In the present context, the term “long’’ clearly indicates the type of action. Here the simple present tense form of the verb is applied. |
| 5. The couple longed for peace for a long time because they have lost their son. | We see in the cited example that the term “long’’ works as a verb because it shows a certain action. The verb form is in the past indefinite tense. |
Conclusion
The article is the correct usage of “long’’ as an adjective, noun, and verb. We can frame phrases with this term i.e. as long as, at long last, go a long way, long in the tooth, in the long run, a long shot, long time to see, and so on. We must be careful to use the phrases in the sentences for better realization.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.