eternity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'eternity' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that seems to last or go on forever, such as love or sadness. For example, 'The sadness she felt after the death of her husband seemed like eternity.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They don't have the resonance of an encyclical from the Pope stating an eternal truth, but they par­take of the quality of eternity.

The Economist

For eternity your image will stand for unquestioning courage.

The Guardian

Within two weeks one of my children will have put me back in the wrong damned case: I'll spend eternity in a Super Mario World box.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is handed down in absentia, and unless Earth has an extradition treaty with the 357-room celestial palace in which Tony Blair's idiosyncratic brand of faith presumably leads him to imagine he will spend eternity, then the former prime minister is safe to continue telling every second interviewer that "history will judge me", or that he is "prepared to be judged by history".

The Guardian - Opinion

Beneath the eye of eternity, he becomes momentarily modest: "I don't think I'm particularly brave or have had a specially extraordinary experience.

The Guardian

He wrote a lot of plays which will never again see the light of day, because they're anchored in his private obsession with eternity.

The Guardian

This mayhem went on for what seemed an eternity.

The Guardian - Sport

As soon as they are written or spoken they become the property of the world, grist to its mills of rumour and opinion and to a vengeful eternity of quotation and misquotation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or, at the very least, in for all eternity at The Oval, having notched up 648 at time of going to press.

The Guardian - Sport

At its best, his voice whispers to the listener about mortality and eternity.

The Guardian - Music

If I am killed I will have the one I want to wait for in eternity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eternity" to convey the concept of timelessness or an infinitely long period. Ensure the context aligns with the sense of unending duration, whether in a literal or figurative sense.

Common error

Avoid using "eternity" when referring to merely extended periods. "Eternity" implies infinity, while a long duration is still finite, however extended it can be.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eternity" is as a noun. It refers to the concept of infinite time or existence without end. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is used to describe something that seems to last forever.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eternity" functions as a noun denoting infinite time or existence beyond time, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, serving to emphasize the unending nature of concepts. While usable across registers, it tends toward neutrality. Related phrases include "infinite time" and "everlasting existence". Remember to use "eternity" to denote true timelessness rather than simply long durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infinite time

Focuses on the boundless nature of time, synonymous with "eternity".

everlasting existence

Highlights the unending aspect of being, similar to the concept of "eternity".

timeless realm

Emphasizes a state or place existing outside of time, akin to "eternity".

endless duration

Stresses the lack of termination, a key element of "eternity".

perpetual existence

Implies continuous and ongoing existence without end, much like "eternity".

unending time

Highlights the infinite extent of time, synonymous with "eternity".

forevermore

Indicates a continuation into the future without end, similar to "eternity".

world without end

Alludes to a state or period that has no conclusion, resembling "eternity".

aeon

Refers to an indefinitely long period of time, echoing the vastness of "eternity".

immortality

Focuses on living forever, related to the concept of an endless "eternity".

FAQs

How can I use "eternity" in a sentence?

You can use "eternity" to describe something lasting forever, such as "Their love felt like it would last for "all eternity"", or a very long time, such as "Waiting for the results felt like an "eternity"".

What is another way to say "eternity"?

Alternatives to "eternity" include "infinite time", "everlasting existence", or "timeless realm", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'a eternity'?

No, it is incorrect to say "a eternity". "Eternity" is an uncountable noun, so it doesn't take the indefinite article "a". You can say "an "eternity"" to mean 'a very long time'.

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

"Eternity" is a noun referring to infinite time or a state outside of time, while "forever" is an adverb meaning for all time or endlessly. You might say "Their love will last for "all eternity"" or "Their love will last "forever"".