A-Long-Way-A-Long-Ways | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

A long way vs. A long ways

A long way

/ə lɔŋ weɪ/
A considerable distance or a significant amount of progress

Examples:

The new policy will go a long way toward resolving issues.The funds raised will go a long way in supporting local charities.Her gratitude went a long way in easing tensions.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

A long ways

/ə lɔːŋ weɪz/
A great distance or a long period of time away from something

Examples:

Her cabin is still a long ways down the trail.He's come a long ways since we first met.A long ways from home, she felt lost but excited.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • A long way indicates a distance or gap, either physical or metaphorical, and is used in formal contexts.
  • A long ways is considered informal and is often heard in spoken American English.
  • Remember that a long way is the traditional and widely accepted phrase in both writing and speech.
  • Use way singularly when you think of it as a direction or path — similar to a long trip.
  • A way suggests a singular, straightforward path, whereas ways implies multiple paths, but in this context, ways is just an informal variation.
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