far too long

USAGE SUMMARY

'far too long' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has taken (or is taking) longer than you would like or expect. Example: I waited in line for far too long before I was finally helped.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Greece waited far too long.

The Economist

All this is "far too long".

The Economist

Unfortunately it goes on far too long.

The New York Times

That is far too long to wait.

The New York Times

They are far too long".

The New Yorker

"It's taken far too long already".

The Guardian

It dragged on far too long".

The Guardian

It's taking far too long to surface.

The New York Times - Magazine

Twelve months is far too long".

The Guardian - Sport

Battle said: "It's taken far too long.

The Guardian

It takes far too long to process visa applications.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too long" to express dissatisfaction or impatience about the duration of something. It emphasizes that the time taken is excessive and undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "too long" when "far too long" is more appropriate to emphasize a subjective feeling of excessive duration. "Too long" simply indicates a length that exceeds a limit, while "far too long" adds a layer of dissatisfaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too long" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, emphasizing the excessive duration of an event, action, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far too long" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express dissatisfaction with the length of time something has taken. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it is suitable for both formal and informal communication, it adds an emotional layer, emphasizing the speaker's frustration. When aiming for clarity and emphasis, consider the best practices outlined, and be mindful of the subtle differences between "too long" and "far too long". Alternatives such as "excessively prolonged" or "much too long" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much too long

More direct and simple alternative with very similar meaning.

excessively prolonged

Emphasizes the extreme extent of the duration.

unduly extended

Highlights the inappropriateness of the extended duration.

inordinately lengthy

Focuses on the unusually great length of time.

overly protracted

Stresses the drawn-out nature of the situation.

dragging on endlessly

Suggests a seemingly infinite duration.

lasting an eternity

Implies an extremely long and possibly exaggerated duration.

taking an age

Informal way of saying something is taking a very long time.

delayed unnecessarily

Highlights that the duration was avoidable.

lingering excessively

Emphasizes the unwanted persistence of something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "far too long" in a sentence?

You can use "far too long" to express that something has lasted an excessive amount of time, such as: "The meeting went on "far too long", and I missed my train."

What phrases can I use instead of "far too long"?

Alternatives include "excessively prolonged", "unduly extended", or "inordinately lengthy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "far too long" more emphatic than "too long"?

Yes, "far too long" is more emphatic. It intensifies the feeling that something has lasted an unacceptably long time. "Too long" simply states that something has exceeded a reasonable duration.

When is it appropriate to use "far too long"?

Use "far too long" when you want to express not only that something has lasted a long time, but also that you are unhappy or dissatisfied with the duration. It adds an emotional layer to the statement.