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05-Dec-2007, 06:25
| | Member | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: China
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| |  Long time coming
What does the phrase "long time coming" mean? I mean the connotation? Does that mean something has been in the process of coming for a long time and finally it has come, or not come yet, but it will come eventually, or it will not come. Thanks. |
05-Dec-2007, 06:42
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Country: UK
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| | Re: Long time coming
Depends on the tense of the verb that precedes it:
He finally apologized. It's been/was a long time coming.
John: He's going to apologize.
Mary: It's a long time coming. that is, he hasn't as yet, and the apology is long overdue. |
05-Dec-2007, 14:42
| | Member | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: China
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| | Re: Long time coming
Quote:
Originally Posted by David L.  Depends on the tense of the verb that precedes it:
He finally apologized. It's been/was a long time coming.
John: He's going to apologize.
Mary: It's a long time coming. that is, he hasn't as yet, and the apology is long overdue. | Thanks. |
05-Dec-2007, 15:40
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Country: Canada
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| | Re: Long time coming
Quote:
Originally Posted by ian2 What does the phrase "long time coming" mean? I mean the connotation? Does that mean something has been in the process of coming for a long time and finally it has come, or not come yet, but it will come eventually, or it will not come. Thanks. | "A long time coming" is sort of a phrase that is similar to the phrase "about time" when commenting on something that should have been done previously but was delayed and delayed. John: "I am finally getting my compensation for that industrial accident".
Jim: "Well, that has been a long time coming, hasn't it? You have been very patient".
John: "I am finally getting my compensation for that industrial accident".
Jim: "Well, it's about time. You have been very patient".
|
06-Dec-2007, 07:45
| | Member | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: China
Posts: 385
Current Location: USA First Language: Chinese Thanks: 24
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| | Re: Long time coming
Quote:
Originally Posted by Naamplao "A long time coming" is sort of a phrase that is similar to the phrase "about time" when commenting on something that should have been done previously but was delayed and delayed.
John: "I am finally getting my compensation for that industrial accident".
Jim: "Well, that has been a long time coming, hasn't it? You have been very patient".
John: "I am finally getting my compensation for that industrial accident".
Jim: "Well, it's about time. You have been very patient".
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