a long time to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long time to wait" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the duration of time that one must wait for something. Example: "It felt like a long time to wait for the results of the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that's a long time to wait.

The New York Times - Arts

It's been a long time to wait.

Independent

It's a long time to wait.

The Guardian - Books

"Two years is a long time to wait," he added.

Independent

Twenty-one years is a long time to wait.

The New York Times

Two years is a long time to wait for help.

The Economist

That's a long time to wait for an income.

The Guardian - Money

But five years is a long time to wait.

The Guardian - Tech

Four to six weeks is a long time to wait.

The New York Times - Tech

That is a long time to wait in anybody's book".

The Guardian

Sixty years is a long time to wait.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long time to wait", consider the audience's perspective. Quantify the 'long time' with specific durations (years, months, weeks) to provide context and impact.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a long time to wait" without providing additional details. Replace it with more specific terms that detail the reason for the wait or the impact of the duration on the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long time to wait" functions as a subjective assessment of duration, expressing that the period one must wait is considered lengthy or undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Tech

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long time to wait" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express that a duration of waiting is perceived as lengthy or undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Tech, and Sports contexts, it's crucial to provide specific context by quantifying the length of time to enhance its impact. While versatile, avoid overuse in formal writing, opting instead for more precise alternatives like "an extended waiting period". To avoid vagueness, specify the duration in years, weeks, or months.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An extended period of waiting

Emphasizes the length of the waiting period.

A lengthy waiting period

Similar to 'extended period', but uses 'lengthy' to describe the wait.

A great deal of waiting

Uses 'a great deal' to quantify the waiting.

A considerable delay

Highlights the delay aspect more strongly.

A protracted wait

Uses 'protracted' to indicate a prolonged duration.

A drawn-out delay

Focuses on the delay being unnecessarily long.

A seemingly endless wait

Adds a subjective feel of the wait being very long.

Significant hold-up

Emphasizes the waiting as an impediment.

Considerable time before

Rephrases to focus on the time preceding an event.

Much anticipation

Highlights the anticipation more than the duration.

FAQs

What does "a long time to wait" imply?

The phrase "a long time to wait" suggests that the duration one must wait for something is perceived as excessively lengthy or undesirable.

How can I make the phrase "a long time to wait" more impactful?

To enhance the impact, specify the duration and the consequences of waiting. For example, "Thirteen years is "a long time to wait" for citizenship, leaving families in uncertainty."

What's a more formal alternative to "a long time to wait"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "an extended waiting period", "a considerable delay", or "a protracted wait" as alternatives to "a long time to wait".

Which is correct, "a long time to wait" or "a long time for waiting"?

"A long time to wait" is the standard and grammatically correct form. "A long time for waiting" is less common and generally not preferred.