This pencil is not long. VS This is not a long pencil.

Anonymous wrote:

Q 41   What's the difference between A and B, and C and D? A:  This pencil is not long. B:  This is not a long pencil. C:  It won't be a long time before he comes. D:  It won't long before he comes.

But C is not very idiomatic, at least, not in the U.S.

There might be circumstances when you can say it, but "It won't be long" is a very standard expression when it comes to time.

Grammar Geek wrote:

But C is not very idiomatic, at least, not in the U.S. There might be circumstances when you can say it, but "It won't be long" is a very standard expression when it comes to time.

I see well, but there is another thing I want to ask you.

C:  It won't be a long time before he comes.

D:  It won't be a long time before he comes.

E:  It will be a long time before he comes

I think that in E "a" is the same as "some" and is lilely to b used in affirmative contexts to express some amount or some degree.
So in C "a long time" is a little bit odd.

Is my explanation correct?

Spectacled-Girl wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Q 41   What's the difference between A and B, and C and D? A:  This pencil is not long. B:  This is not a long pencil. C:  It won't be a long time before he comes. D:  It won't long before he comes. D should be ''It won't be long before he comes.''

Sorry I miswrote.

There is something I want to ask you.I'd be happy if you answer it.

C:  It won't be a long time before he comes.

D:  It won't be a long time before he comes.

E:  It will be a long time before he comes

I think that in E "a" is the same as "some" and is lilely to b used in affirmative contexts to express some amount or some degree.
So in C "a long time" is a little bit odd.

Is my explanation correct?