an eternity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an eternity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to describe a very long or indefinite amount of time. Example: "Waiting for the train felt like an eternity in the scorching heat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

An eternity within an eternity.

The Guardian - Film

That's an eternity from now".

The New York Times - Science

Three weeks is an eternity.

The New Yorker

Half a minute feels like an eternity.

Independent

Two years seems like an eternity.

The New York Times

Five until eight — that is an eternity!

The New Yorker

It promised an eternity of it.

The New York Times

But in New York it's an eternity.

The New York Times

But that seems an eternity away.

The New York Times

Now, five minutes is hardly an eternity.

Independent

This fantasy goes on for an eternity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an eternity" to emphasize a subjective feeling of time passing slowly, often during moments of boredom, anticipation, or discomfort.

Common error

Avoid using "an eternity" to describe objectively measured long periods, as it implies a subjective feeling of endlessness rather than a literal duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an eternity" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe periods of time that feel subjectively long or endless. The phrase typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, emphasizing the perceived duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an eternity" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a period that feels subjectively very long. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources such as news media and literature. While it's a common idiom, the best practice is to employ it when emphasizing the perceived duration of an event rather than its objective length. Consider alternative phrases like "a lifetime" or "a very long time" to ensure the context aligns with your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what seemed like forever

Highlights subjective perception of time, emphasizing the feeling of endlessness.

countless ages

Emphasizes the numerous and immeasurable nature of the time passed, intensifying the original.

a lifetime

Implies a duration equivalent to a human lifespan, differing in scale.

a seemingly endless period

More descriptive, emphasizing the perception of time rather than its actual length.

a very long time

A simpler, more direct way to indicate a lengthy duration, losing the figurative emphasis.

a timeless span

Highlights the lack of temporal boundaries, more abstract than the original.

forever

Indicates endless duration, possessing a more absolute and less contextual sense.

an infinite duration

Stresses the unlimited nature of the time period, more focused on unboundedness.

ages

A colloquial term for a long time, less formal than "an eternity".

an epoch

Refers to a significant period in history or a person's life, implying a long and impactful duration.

FAQs

How can I use "an eternity" in a sentence?

Use "an eternity" to describe a period that feels subjectively very long. For example, "Waiting for the test results felt like "an eternity"".

What's the difference between "an eternity" and "forever"?

"Forever" implies an endless duration in an absolute sense. "An eternity" suggests a period that feels extremely long, even if it's finite. The wait felt like "an eternity", but it was only two hours.

Can "an eternity" refer to the past or only the future?

"An eternity" can refer to both past and future. Example in the past: "That mistake haunted him for "an eternity"". Example in the future: "If I have to listen to that song again it'll feel like "an eternity"".

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "an eternity"?

Alternatives include "a lifetime", "a very long time", or "ages", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.