exorbitant amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exorbitant amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time duration that is excessively long or unreasonable. Example: "The project took an exorbitant amount of time to complete, far longer than we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I have an acquaintance — someone I like but barely know — who spent what seemed to me to be an exorbitant amount of time doing absolutely nothing at all on the remote Italian island Pantelleria, photographing that nothing at all as though he were on sabbatical inside a Fellini film.

The New York Times - Magazine

Similarly, Uber spent an exorbitant amount of time, money and effort to set up its operations in China.

TechCrunch

The delays and the exorbitant amount of time that Kushniruk spent in his holding cell aren't the fault of any one particular person.

Vice

This is not a lengthy play by any stretch but an exorbitant amount of time is spent simply watching them switch things from one scene to the next.

Huffington Post

As a result, some firms might win the same worker multiple times, while other companies spend an exorbitant amount of time and money seeking a specific foreign graduate of a U.S. university.

Huffington Post

Not only is this a helpful tool for businesses of all sizes but the speed of this app also makes it the clear choice for everyone who is tired of spending an exorbitant amount of time on the file conversion process.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Officials spent "exorbitant amounts of time" in meetings and generating data and reports to make their divisions look productive, he writes.

Science Magazine

To prepare for competition, athletes spend exorbitant amounts of time on the practice field or in the weight room, just as their coaches do in the film room, looking for clues on how to perfect their offense or counter a defensive scheme.

Huffington Post

There's an exorbitant amount of screen time given to backstage hand-wringing about how to bring the legend to life, with the film at times bordering on advertorial for the stage show.

The Guardian - Film

MS The spurious mountain-out-of-a-molehill charge levelled against Jimmy Anderson by India at Trent Bridge, which squandered exorbitant amounts of money, time and energy and arguably distracted the Indian captain disproportionately to his team's cost.

The Guardian - Sport

He's quoted recently in the Chicago Tribune as saying: "That's why I hate the specialization of kids when they're on these travel squads that are only 12-13-14 years olds that are only dedicated to one thing, traveling all the time, paying exorbitant amount of money to play baseball with hopes of becoming a professional baseball player.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exorbitant amount of time" when you want to emphasize that something took far longer than it should have, often implying inefficiency or mismanagement. For a stronger impact, specify what caused the excessive delay.

Common error

While impactful, avoid using "exorbitant amount of time" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "excessive duration" or "undue delay" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exorbitant amount of time" functions as a modifier, specifically quantifying the noun "time" and emphasizing its excessive nature. It suggests that the time spent was unreasonably or unjustifiably long, aligning with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exorbitant amount of time" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an excessively long duration, often implying inefficiency or mismanagement. While it's more common in neutral contexts like news and media, Ludwig indicates it can also appear in other forms of writing. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "excessive duration" or "undue delay". Remember to use this phrase when you genuinely want to emphasize the unreasonable length of time something took.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive duration

Focuses on the duration being beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

unreasonable length of time

Highlights the lack of justification for the time taken.

undue delay

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of the time extension.

protracted period

Stresses the extended nature of the time frame.

inordinate delay

Highlights the delay being excessive.

overlong timeframe

Simple description which points to an excessive length of time.

extended duration

Highlights the duration of something is longer than usual.

unwarranted delay

Emphasizes that the delay is unjustified.

long-lasting period

Highlights the length of the lasting period.

unconscionable timeframe

Indicates that the timeframe is shockingly unfair or excessive.

FAQs

How can I use "exorbitant amount of time" in a sentence?

You can use "exorbitant amount of time" to describe something that took much longer than expected. For example: "The project required an "exorbitant amount of time" to complete because of unforeseen complications."

What is a phrase similar to "exorbitant amount of time"?

Similar phrases include "excessive amount of time", "undue amount of time", or "unreasonable amount of time". All these emphasize that more time was spent than was necessary or appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "exorbitant amount of time"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that the time spent on something was far more than necessary or justifiable. It often carries a negative connotation, implying inefficiency or poor planning.

What is the difference between "exorbitant amount of time" and "considerable amount of time"?

"Exorbitant amount of time" implies the duration was excessively long and likely wasteful or problematic. "Considerable amount of time" simply means a significant duration, without necessarily implying a negative judgment.