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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
He had long () come to~
The protagonist, Philip moved in with his uncle Mr. Carey, the Vicar of Blackstable after his mother's death.
He goes to the medical school St. Luke's in London.
............................................
Macalister was a big-boned fellow, much too short for his width, with a large, fleshy face and a soft voice. He was a student of Kant and judged everything from the standpoint of pure reason. He was fond of expounding his doctrines. Philip listened with excited interest. He had long come to the conclusion that nothing amused him more than metaphysics, but he was not so sure of their efficacy in the affairs of life.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
I'd like to know if "ago" is omitted after "long."
Thank you in advance for your help.
He goes to the medical school St. Luke's in London.
............................................
Macalister was a big-boned fellow, much too short for his width, with a large, fleshy face and a soft voice. He was a student of Kant and judged everything from the standpoint of pure reason. He was fond of expounding his doctrines. Philip listened with excited interest. He had long come to the conclusion that nothing amused him more than metaphysics, but he was not so sure of their efficacy in the affairs of life.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
I'd like to know if "ago" is omitted after "long."
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
Yes, that is the meaning. Personally I would only use "long" like this with stative or continuous verbs. For example, "He had long disliked her" or "He had long been a supporter".
- Yes, that is the meaning.
- Personally I would only use "long" like this with stative or continuous verbs.
- For example, "He had long disliked her" or "He had long been a supporter".
- To me it does not seem quite right with a discrete verb.
- However, personal preferences may differ, and usage may change over time too.
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3 Answers
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Yes, that is the meaning. Personally I would only use "long" like this with stative or continuous verbs. For example, "He had long disliked her" or "He had long been a supporter". To me it does not seem quite right with a discrete verb. However, personal preferences may differ, and usage may change over time too.
*Edit: Actually, it may be that "come to the conclusion" is intended to refe
*Edit: Actually, it may be that "come to the conclusion" is intended to refe
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Thank you, GPY, for your so very helpful answer. 
Edit: Actually, it may be that "come to the conclusion" is intende
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park sang joonThen I was wondering if you think "for" is implied rather than "ago."If "come to the conclusion" is intended to refer to a discrete event then "long ago" would be right.
If "come to the conclusion" is intended to refer to a state or continuing process then "for a long time" would be right, though whether it strictly can do seems questio
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