an enormous time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an enormous time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant or lengthy duration of time in various contexts. Example: "It took an enormous time to complete the project, but the results were worth the wait."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"That's an enormous difference and an enormous time commitment," Ms. Beyer said.

The New York Times

"Russia is geographically so vast that any turn of the wheel has an enormous time lag," he says.

The Economist

Also, it seems the babies are taking an enormous time (years!) to get big enough to flower.

The New York Times

Finally Senator John Edwards, the vice-presidential nominee, arrived to promise with a big smile that "John Kerry and I will spend an enormous time in Ohio".

The New York Times

This graceful and leisurely movie, adapted from a 1974 novel by the masterly Bohumil Hrabal, covers an enormous time span, starting in the nineteen-thirties, then passing through the Nazi occupation and the Communist period.

The New Yorker

Unlike London's Great Dust Heap, very little of Fresh Kills's rubbish was ever recycled, but the site itself is to be detoxified and reused, covered with grass to create a park over an enormous time capsule of post-industrial waste.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It's just an enormous time-suck for the amount of information you get from it".

The Guardian - Tech

"Four-hand playing is a complex art that requires enormous time and patience.

The New York Times - Arts

Too exciting for some investors: FPT's price is now an enormous 80 times its 2006 earnings per share.

Forbes

He or she might not have the time, and estates can take an enormous amount of time.

Forbes

When you take time to plan, it will actually save you an enormous amount of time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an enormous time" to emphasize not just the length of time, but also the scale or impact of that duration. This phrasing is effective when the time involved is unexpectedly or notably large.

Common error

Avoid using "an enormous time" when a simpler term like "a long time" would suffice. The phrase is most impactful when highlighting an exceptional or unusually lengthy duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an enormous time" functions primarily as a noun phrase that specifies a notably large quantity of time. Ludwig examples confirm its usage to describe significant durations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an enormous time" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize a significant duration. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows its frequent appearance in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While interchangeable with alternatives such as "a considerable time" or "a significant amount of time", "an enormous time" is best used when the duration is notably large or unexpected. Remember to use this phrase strategically to highlight the scale of the time involved, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable time

Emphasizes the length of time as being noteworthy and substantial.

a significant amount of time

Highlights the importance and quantity of the time involved.

a vast period

Focuses on the expansiveness and scale of the time frame.

a lengthy duration

Directly indicates a long and extended period.

an extensive timeframe

Implies a broad and comprehensive scope of time.

a prolonged period

Stresses the continuation and extended nature of the time.

a substantial duration

Highlights the material and significant nature of the time.

a great deal of time

Indicates a large quantity or measure of time.

a long stretch

Suggests a continuous and unbroken period of time.

a drawn-out process

Emphasizes the extended and sometimes tedious nature of the time spent.

FAQs

How can I use "an enormous time" in a sentence?

You can use "an enormous time" to emphasize that something took longer than expected, or that a particularly long period was involved. For example, "It took "an enormous time" to complete the renovations."

What's the difference between "an enormous time" and "a long time"?

"An enormous time" suggests a quantity of time that is notably large or significant, while "a long time" simply indicates that something took more time than is typical or desirable. The former has a stronger emphasis on the duration. You can use alternative expressions like "a considerable time" or "a significant amount of time".

What are some alternatives to saying "an enormous time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a considerable time", "a significant amount of time", or "a vast period" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "an enormous time" in formal writing?

Yes, "an enormous time" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, consider whether a more precise term might be more suitable in formal contexts to avoid ambiguity. You can use alternative expressions like "a lengthy duration" or "an extensive timeframe".