all that time for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all that time for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of duration or effort that seems excessive for a particular outcome or reason. Example: "I spent all that time for just a few minutes of feedback from my supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Gardner St. came down last week as Gardner Junction readies to open (softly) the week of Sept. 14.  Chef Steve Brown fell in love with the location and building three years ago and it's taken all that time for Brown and the design firm Spacecraft to complete the project.

Los Angeles Times

"If she doesn't find the right man, she did all that time for nothing.

The New Yorker

During all that time, for thirty years, he stayed on as editor of The Yale Reviewand transformed the journal into the nation's leading university quarterly.

Yale University

It was weekend four for Warner Brothers' possessed-doll spine-tingler Annabelle, which has been vying all that time for global top spot with Gone Girl.

The Guardian - Film

Yeah, that's part of it sure, but what about all the chorus parts out there, people who have to give up all that time for only a few fleeting moments on stage?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the union and City Hall compromised, narrowing the issue down to two choices: schools would either divide the 100 minutes into two 50-minute sessions, devoting one to instruction and the other to professional development, or add 20 minutes to each weekday and use all that time for instruction.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Were you working on it for all that time?

The New Yorker

I owed them for all that time off.

The Guardian - Sport

"What was that nurse doing for all that time?" Millage asked.

Los Angeles Times

But nearly all sides agree that time for a decision is running short.

The New York Times

The clear lessons of the Syrian conflict perhaps provide the impetus we need to declare once and for all that the time for this idea has finally arrived.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all that time for" to express a sense of disbelief or frustration when the outcome doesn't match the effort or duration spent.

Common error

Avoid using "all that time for" in contexts where you want to express gratitude or appreciation for time spent. This phrase often carries a negative connotation of wasted effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all that time for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, often expressing duration, purpose, or cause. Ludwig indicates this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all that time for" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the amount of time invested in an action or event. According to Ludwig, this is grammatically correct and usable in written English and it implies that the time was significant. It is common in News & Media, Academia and Wiki as per Ludwig examples. When using it, writers must be aware that the phrase often expresses the writer's disbelief or frustration because the result or outcome does not justify the amount of time invested. The most frequent authoritative sources that use this expression are The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for such a long time

Emphasizes the extended duration of the time period.

after all this time

Highlights the culmination or result achieved after a significant period.

having waited so long

Focuses on the act of waiting and the duration of that wait.

after spending so much time

Emphasizes effort expended.

given the amount of time

Stresses the quantity of time invested or available.

considering the time involved

Highlights the time as a significant factor to consider.

following this lengthy period

Emphasizes formality in time expression.

because of the time spent

Highlights that time has passed.

in light of the duration

Highlights a decision or result viewed from point of view after time elapsed.

in view of this extended timeframe

Emphasizes the continuous duration of time.

FAQs

How can I use "all that time for" in a sentence?

You can use "all that time for" to express frustration that the time spent on something was not worth it. For example, "I spent "all that time for" nothing!"

What is a good alternative to "all that time for"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "after all this time", "for such a long time", or "given the amount of time."

What does "all that time for" imply?

The phrase "all that time for" often implies a sense of disappointment, disbelief, or frustration because the result or outcome does not justify the amount of time invested.

Is "all that time for" formal or informal?

The phrase "all that time for" is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in spoken language or casual writing than in formal or academic contexts.