an immense time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an immense time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very long duration or period, often in a poetic or dramatic context. Example: "It felt like an immense time had passed since we last saw each other, as if the world had changed completely in our absence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The New Yorker series is a very readable redaction of the original — and without sacrificing much essential information, easier on the attention span than the book, which requires an immense time commitment — but for better or worse, it's not as full-throated as the original.

The New York Times - Magazine

But first, a warning: it is difficult for anyone to conceive of such an immense time span as 4.5 billion years.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The lack of motivation for and confidence in the work as pMTCT counsellor was encountered in contexts characterised by severe shortage of staff and immense time constraints that left the nurse with merely a few minutes to present and discuss the complex pros and cons of the various infant feeding options with each client.

Human Resources for Health

Over nearly all that immense time - 4.5bn years - Earth's appearance would have altered very gradually.

The Guardian

Value for the immense time and money invested in producing the guidelines may be hard to come by," said Liz Alden Wily, an international land tenure specialist.

The Guardian

There are immense time gaps; many millions of years are unaccounted for, owing to gaps in the strata that resulted either from vast quantities of materials being removed by erosion or because there was little or no deposition of materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We and our research partners are dedicating immense time and resources to making this future come true.

TechCrunch

Ever since the ground breaking discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), an endogenous mechanism for sequence specific regulation of gene expression via short interfering RNAs (siRNA), researchers and pharmaceutical companies alike have devoted immense time and capital into the design of nanocarriers that can mediate safe and effective delivery.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology

Shah tells me that "We felt that places like Facebook pages and Likes weren't, for example, the appropriate forum for global events like the Arab Spring, which needed a more focused place to express all the micro-views that took place during that immense time of change.

TechCrunch

Over nearly all that immense time, Earth's appearance would have altered very gradually.

Huffington Post

The "money chase" forces politicians, including Secretary Clinton, to spend immense time soliciting for deep pocket donations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an immense time" to emphasize a period that feels subjectively long or significant. This phrase is most effective when conveying a sense of importance or impact, not just mere duration.

Common error

Avoid using "an immense time" in contexts requiring precise measurements. Opt for specific durations (e.g., "several decades", "hundreds of years") to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immense time" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "time", creating a sense of prolonged duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples showcase its usage in describing significant temporal spans.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an immense time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a long and often subjectively significant duration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's correct and usable in written English, with examples appearing in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a sense of vastness or importance over time. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the context and desired tone, as precision-oriented writing may benefit from more specific temporal measurements. Alternatives like "a considerable duration" or "an extensive period" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable duration

Replaces "immense" with "considerable", altering the intensity of the duration's significance.

an extensive period

Substitutes "time" with "period" and "immense" with "extensive", providing a more formal tone.

a substantial length of time

Uses "substantial length" to convey a significant duration, adding more descriptive words.

a vast amount of time

Emphasizes the quantity of time using "vast amount", which is a more common expression.

a prolonged interval

Replaces "time" with "interval" and "immense" with "prolonged", shifting the focus to the intervening period.

a significant timeframe

Uses "timeframe" instead of "time", giving a more structured or planned feel to the duration.

a lengthy duration

Simple substitution of "immense" with "lengthy", keeping the core meaning intact but less emphatic.

a great span of time

Emphasizes the breadth of the time period, using "span" to suggest a continuum.

an inordinate delay

Focuses on the negative aspect of a long duration, suggesting an excessive waiting period.

a drawn-out period

Implies the time feels longer than it is, suggesting tedium or protraction.

FAQs

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

You can use "an immense time" to describe a period that feels subjectively very long or carries great significance. For example, "An immense time had passed since their last encounter, changing them both in unforeseen ways."

What are some alternatives to "an immense time"?

Alternatives to "an immense time" include phrases like "a considerable duration", "an extensive period", or "a substantial length of time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "an immense time" or "a long time"?

"An immense time" is more emphatic and dramatic than "a long time". Use "an immense time" when you want to stress the magnitude or emotional impact of the duration, while "a long time" is suitable for general contexts.

What kind of writing benefits most from using the phrase "an immense time"?

Descriptive and narrative writing often benefits from the use of "an immense time", particularly when establishing atmosphere, emphasizing change over long periods, or adding emotional depth. Technical or precise writing may be better served by more specific temporal measurements.