awfully long time

USAGE SUMMARY

'awfully long time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you wish to emphasize the length of a period of time. For example: He had been waiting for an awfully long time for his bus to arrive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's an awfully long time.

MIT Technology Review

Never is an awfully long time.

The New York Times

This is an awfully long time.

The Guardian - Business

And 30 years is an awfully long time.

The New York Times

has spent an awfully long time on the shelf.

The New York Times

Now, 1998 seems like an awfully long time ago.

The New York Times

I've been doing that for an awfully long time.

The New York Times - Arts

"She could be around for an awfully long time.

The Guardian

It must have taken an awfully long time.

The Guardian - Arts

Gun ownership has been around for an awfully long time.

The New York Times

And that will take an awfully long time," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. While "awfully long time" is widely understood, it may not be appropriate in highly formal or technical contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives such as "considerable duration" or "extended period".

Common error

Avoid using "awfully long time" in situations where a neutral or positive tone is required. The word "awfully" can sometimes imply annoyance or exasperation due to the extensive waiting time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully long time" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the extent of the duration. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase emphasizes the length of a period. The word "awfully" intensifies the adjective "long", highlighting that the time is perceived as significantly extended.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awfully long time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English to emphasize an extended duration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for highlighting the length of a period. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase often conveys a sense of impatience or surprise regarding the duration. While versatile, be mindful of the context; it might not be ideal for highly formal situations. Alternatives like "considerable duration" or "extended period" can be considered for such scenarios. Remember that "awfully long time" is most effective when you want to emphasize not just the length, but also the subjective experience of that length.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable duration

Replaces the informal "awfully" with the more formal "considerable", maintaining the emphasis on the length of time.

significant time span

Emphasizes the span of time, making it suitable for more formal contexts.

extended period

Uses simpler and more direct language to express a long duration, reducing the intensity of the original phrase.

a lengthy spell

Substitutes "time" with "spell", offering a slightly more literary or old-fashioned tone.

a seeming eternity

Adds a touch of hyperbole to suggest the time felt subjectively very long.

protracted interval

Uses more formal and technical language to describe a long interval of time.

an age

A simpler, more common idiom indicating a long duration.

a very long wait

Focuses on the act of waiting for a long time, rather than the duration itself.

a drawn-out affair

Describes an event or situation that lasts longer than expected, often with negative connotations.

quite a while

Offers a more understated and casual way to indicate a considerable amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully long time" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully long time" to describe durations that feel subjectively extended. For example, "It took an "awfully long time" for the package to arrive," or "He's been waiting an "awfully long time" for his promotion."

What are some alternatives to "awfully long time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "considerable duration", "extended period", or "significant time span". These alternatives may be more appropriate for formal settings.

Is "awfully long time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "awfully long time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. The adverb "awfully" modifies the adjective "long", which describes the noun "time".

What's the difference between "awfully long time" and "very long time"?

"Awfully long time" implies a greater degree of length and often includes a sense of impatience or frustration, whereas "very long time" is a more neutral description of duration.