all this time

USAGE SUMMARY

'all this time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time that has passed since some point in the past. For example, "I've been doing this job for five years now - all this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All This Time by Tiffany.

The Guardian - Music

Who's had it all this time?" he asks.

The New York Times

After all, this time, mother is still alive.

The Guardian

"We have worked at the plant all this time.

The Guardian

Amtrak Seeks New Subsidy, Wants It All This Time.

Forbes

After ignoring it for all this time?

Huffington Post

For all this time.

The New Yorker

"All this time?

The New Yorker

I mean — all this time".

The New Yorker

"After all this time".

The Guardian - Sport

All this time, Nancy was stricken.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all this time", ensure the context clearly establishes the period to which you're referring. For example, 'I've been working on this project for years, and "all this time", I didn't realize I was missing a crucial component.'

Common error

Avoid using "all this time" when referring to a very short or undefined period. This phrase works best when the duration is significant and known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all this time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig examples show it emphasizes the length of time something has been happening or unknown.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all this time" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially News & Media. It highlights the length of an action or state, often conveying surprise or realization. Related phrases include "during this entire period" and "the whole time". When writing, remember to use "all this time" for significant, known durations to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during this entire period

Focuses on the entirety of the time frame in question.

throughout this duration

Emphasizes the continuation of something across a span of time.

for the entire duration

Highlights the length of the period being considered.

all along

Suggests something has been true or happening continuously.

the whole time

A more informal way to express the same idea.

in all this period

Highlights that something happened within the full amount of the time under consideration.

over the course of this time

Emphasizes the progression or unfolding of events.

during this time frame

Refers to a specific, defined period of time.

for the length of this time

Focuses on how long a particular period lasted.

during these many years

Highlights that a long period has been passed.

FAQs

How can I use "all this time" in a sentence?

Use "all this time" to emphasize a duration during which something was happening or unknown. For example, "I was searching everywhere, and it was here "all this time"".

What are some alternatives to "all this time"?

You can use alternatives like "during this entire period", "throughout this duration", or "the whole time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "during all this time"?

Yes, "during all this time" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "all this time". Both phrases emphasize a period of time in which something occurs.

Can "all this time" be used to express surprise?

Yes, "all this time" can be used to express surprise or realization about something that has been ongoing or hidden. For example, "You knew about it "all along"?"