Learn English – The meaning of “have long said”

phrase-usage

I read a news article. I don't quite understand "have long said". Does it mean the prosecutors had a long speech or they said it a long time ago?

But prosecutors have long said they believe he killed many more people, last year putting the figure at 43 at least.

Best Answer

long : adverb

1 For a long time.

‘we hadn't known them long’
‘an experience they will long remember’
‘his long-awaited Grand Prix debut’

It means that the prosecutors have said it for a long time.

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