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Maelstrom Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

"For the longest time" v.s "all the way along"

Which of these two expressions are the most commonly used to convey the meaning of "during the whole time"(well, my interpretation might not be exact, but for my own defense, the most direct way is probably just "all the way along")?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

maelstrom the most direct way is probably just "all the way along" That is rather slangy and of limited use—and usually indicates two contemporaneous long actions. maelstrom For the longest time That is quite another meaning: it is used to indicate an uncomfortably long time for the speaker. maelstrom to convey the meaning of "during the whole time" Just use 'all the time' or 'during the whole time'.

— Mister Micawber

  • maelstrom the most direct way is probably just "all the way along" That is rather slangy and of limited use—and usually indicates two contemporaneous long actions.
  • maelstrom For the longest time That is quite another meaning: it is used to indicate an uncomfortably long time for the speaker.
  • maelstrom to convey the meaning of "during the whole time" Just use 'all the time' or 'during the whole time'.
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18 Answers
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maelstromthe most direct way is probably just "all the way along"
That is rather slangy and of limited use—and usually indicates two contemporaneous long actions.
maelstromFor the longest time
That is quite another meaning: it is used to indicate an uncomfortably long time for the speaker.
maelstromto
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maelstrom "all the way along")?
This does not sound at all natural to me.
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I must prefer shorter sentences, since I would use 'throughout'.
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wilpeterI must prefer shorter sentences, since I would use 'throughout'.
Throughout when? I'm trying to convey the meaning a whole period of time which doesn't have an exact starting point/when the time point has been stated before and the sentence requires it being avoided. (As opposed to "throughout', which is a preposition that must be placed before a time
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maelstromIn statements like "I've always been a diligent programmer ALL THE WAY ALONG", that is not the right word to use.
You need no words there. This is quite sufficient:

I've always been a diligent programmer.
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Mister Micawber maelstromIn statements like "I've always been a diligent programmer ALL THE WAY ALONG", that is not the right word to use.You need no words there. This is quite sufficient:I've always been a diligent programmer.
That's just an example,
there's sometimes requires no to-be verbs, such as "I've been sitting on the fence with this stock for
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maelstromthis phrase "all the way along" is not correct/commonly accepted:)
Well, it is odd there and it has not been accepted by any responders here in any of your sentences so far.
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Mister Micawber maelstromthis phrase "all the way along" is not correct/commonly accepted:)Well, it is odd there and it has not been accepted by any responders here in any of your sentences so far.
Unfortunately we're not doing a vote here.
Please offer WHY and HOW it is odd instead of just saying it, or it won't mean anything.
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It is the wrong phrasing. What 'way'? 'Along' what?

Here is a good sentence:

[T]he Duluth police stretched its enforcement coverage all the way along the river's twisty shore
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Mister MicawberIt is the wrong phrasing. What 'way'? 'Along' what?Here is a good sentence:[T]he Duluth police stretched its enforcement coverage all the way along the river's twisty shore
No I mean what's a better expression for conveying that meaning, not how to use the same phrase (which you said is unacceptable to you) better.

If you actuall
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