donkey's years

USAGE SUMMARY

"donkey's years" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom, usually used in informal contexts, which means a very long time. For example, "It's been donkey's years since I last saw him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

It's been there donkey's years.

The Guardian - Travel

Affluent new arrivals had been complaining about early morning noise from a bakery that's been there for donkey's years.

The Guardian

We've got to the point where loyal fans, who have been going for donkey's years, have said they're not going back while he's in charge.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a word I've not heard applied to a beverage for donkey's years.

Independent

Donkey's Years, for example, was often literally stopped by laughter.

The Guardian

And I haven't seen tongue for donkey's years".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"I've been in here and uptown at Columbia for like a donkey's year".

The New Yorker

Having packed the house with Michael Frayn's Donkeys' Years, Salisbury Playhouse now revives Peter Shaffer's rarely seen first play, written in 1958 and usually assumed to be a decorous English family drama.

The Guardian

His other stage work included The Chinese Prime Minister (1965), while at the Globe in 1976 in Michael Frayn's Donkeys' Years he was one of the former undergraduates who returned to their Oxford college for a reunion with their old flame (Penelope Keith).

The Guardian

"She's tried for donkeys years to emulate her legendary mum...and failed.

The Guardian - Sport

Frayn's other plays include Donkeys' Years (1977), Benefactors (1984), Here: A Play in Two Acts (1993), Copenhagen (1998), Democracy (2003), and Afterlife (2008).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "donkey's years" to add an informal, slightly humorous tone when indicating a long period of time. Be mindful of your audience, as it may not be appropriate in all formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "donkey's years" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. Opt for more neutral phrases like "for many years" or "for a considerable time" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The idiom "donkey's years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a duration of time. Ludwig examples show it used to describe how long something has existed or how long ago something happened. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "donkey's years" is a common idiom used to express a very long time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and is generally considered grammatically correct. While frequently found in news and media, its informal nature makes it more suitable for casual contexts. Alternatives like "a long time" or "for many years" may be more appropriate for formal writing. Remember to use "donkey's years" judiciously, considering your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since forever

An informal way of saying something has been happening for a very long time, similar in tone to "donkey's years".

ages

This alternative replaces the idiomatic "donkey's years" with a simpler, more direct term indicating a long time.

for many years

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the duration, but without the idiomatic flair.

a long time

This alternative is a general expression for an extended period, lacking the informal emphasis of "donkey's years".

for a considerable period

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the substantial length of time involved.

a lifetime

This emphasizes a period comparable to a human lifespan, slightly different from a nonspecific 'long time'.

years on end

This alternative emphasizes the continuous nature of something happening over many years.

an eternity

This alternative suggests a time that feels infinitely long, more hyperbolic than "donkey's years".

in a blue moon

This alternative means something happens very rarely, contrasting with the 'long time' meaning of "donkey's years".

in living memory

This alternative refers to something within the range of people's recollection, rather than simply a long time.

FAQs

What does the idiom "donkey's years" mean?

The idiom "donkey's years" means a very long time. It's an informal way to emphasize that something has lasted or hasn't happened for an extended period.

How can I use "donkey's years" in a sentence?

You can use "donkey's years" to indicate that something has been happening or not happening for a long time. For example, "I haven't seen him in "donkey's years"" or "That shop has been there for "donkey's years"".

What can I say instead of "donkey's years"?

You can use alternatives like "a long time", "for many years", or "ages" depending on the context. These options are less idiomatic and may be more suitable for formal writing.

Is "donkey's years" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "donkey's years" is considered an informal idiom. It's best to avoid using it in formal writing and instead opt for phrases like "for a considerable period" or "for many years".