Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

'He has been away from home for a long time.'

Could we use 'long hours' instead of 'for a long time' here without change the meaning? e.g.

'He has been away from home long hours.'

Thank you very much.

[CP]

Not quite. Long hours is usually used this way: "We worked long hours in the factory until the union came in." That might mean we had to work 12-hour days back then, but now we work 8-hour days.

If he's been away several hours, and they seem like a very long time, you might say: "He's been gone for six long hours." Sometimes six hours is nothing, then it's six short hours; sometimes it is an eternity, as here.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner1]

Hello,

Thank you very much, CP.

I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean by "sometimes it is an eternity, as here". Would you please explain it to me?

Thanks a lot.

[CP]

I meant, sometimes six hours is an eternity / a very long time, as when "he's been gone six long hours."
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner1]

Hello CP,

Thank you very much for answering my question again.
Does the phrase 'long hours' only be used that way as you said? Would it be fine to use in other situations? e.g.

1.'I waited for my friend long hours, but he didn't show up.'
2.'You have been driving long hours, you should take a rest.'

('Long hours' in the sentences might mean several hours.)

Thank you very much.

[CP]

Yes, your sentences are fine, too. I would probably say, "I waited hours / long hours for my friend."
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner1]

Hello CP,

Thank you very much for your helpful answer.