lasting
C1Neutral to formal. Common in written English, journalism, and academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Continuing for a long time; enduring or durable.
Having a persistent effect or influence that remains significant over time. Can refer to physical durability, emotional impact, or abstract concepts like peace or change.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective. While 'to last' is a verb, 'lasting' as a participle adjective focuses on the quality of endurance itself. It often carries a positive connotation (e.g., lasting friendship) but can be neutral (lasting damage).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in formal British writing (e.g., 'a lasting legacy'). In American English, equally common but may appear slightly more in marketing/advertising (e.g., 'lasting freshness').
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[BE] ~ (on sth/sb)~ [N]prove ~Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Leave a lasting mark (on someone/something)”
- “Make a lasting impression”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Focus on durable outcomes: 'We aim to build lasting partnerships with our clients.'
Academic
Used for theories, effects, or historical changes: 'The treaty had a lasting influence on European politics.'
Everyday
Describes relationships, memories, or physical items: 'They formed a lasting friendship at university.'
Technical
In materials science: 'The coating provides lasting protection against corrosion.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The performance is expected to last about two hours.
- How long will this battery last?
American English
- The meeting lasted well into the evening.
- This car is built to last.
adverb
British English
- The product is designed to lastingly repel moisture.
- (Rarely used; 'in a lasting way' is more common)
American English
- The memory stayed with him lastingly.
- (Rare/formal; 'permanently' or 'enduringly' are alternatives)
adjective
British English
- She left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
- They hoped for a lasting peace in the region.
American English
- The storm caused lasting damage to the coastline.
- He made a lasting contribution to the field.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This toy is not lasting; it broke quickly.
- I have a lasting memory of my first day at school.
- The teacher made a lasting impression on her students.
- They built a lasting friendship during the trip.
- The economic reforms had a lasting impact on the country's development.
- Finding a lasting solution to this conflict is challenging.
- Her seminal research made a lasting contribution to theoretical physics.
- The psychological effects of the event proved to be deep and lasting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAST that is put on a broken bone – it's meant to be LASTING, staying on for a long time to help healing.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER OF VALUE (a 'lasting' thing contains and preserves its value over a long period of time).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'длительный' for processes; 'lasting' describes the *quality* of the noun, not the duration of an action. E.g., 'a long meeting' not 'a lasting meeting'.
- Confusion with 'late' or 'last' (последний). 'Lasting' is unrelated to sequence.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lasting' as a verb (incorrect: *'It was lasting for hours.' Correct: 'It lasted for hours.').
- Overuse in informal speech where 'long' suffices (e.g., 'a long chat' is more natural than 'a lasting chat').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'lasting' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while often positive (lasting peace, lasting friendship), it can be neutral or negative (lasting damage, lasting insecurity). It describes endurance, not quality.
They are largely synonymous. 'Long-lasting' is slightly more emphatic and colloquial. 'Lasting' can sound more formal or absolute (e.g., 'a lasting monument').
Rarely and formally. The adverb 'lastingly' exists but is uncommon. It's usually better to rephrase (e.g., 'in a lasting way') or use synonyms like 'permanently'.
Remember the adjective comes BEFORE a noun (a lasting effect). The verb is used with a subject and often a time phrase (The effect lasted for years). You cannot say 'It was lasting for years' as a verb.
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