for all this time

USAGE SUMMARY

"for all this time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a period of time that has been passed, usually one that has been long or difficult. For example: "She had been dealing with this problem for all this time without ever mentioning it to anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In order for it to survive, the industry that's here at the APRA-E event, that has been supporting it for all this time, needs to stand up and say, 'Look, we care about this,'" Stine says.

MIT Technology Review

After ignoring it for all this time?

Huffington Post

"It's amazing how much information we don't have after looking at this case for all this time," aviation expert Jeff Wise told Reuters this week.

Huffington Post

For all this time.

The New Yorker

You can't be in business for all this time and not change with the consumer.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, for all this time, we've been looking at them in the wrong way.

The New Yorker

"For all this time they have kept it secret," he said.

The Guardian

And why did they leave us vulnerable for all this time?

MIT Technology Review

And that employing Tolstoy as a personal tutor for all this time was well worth £50 of anyone's money.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although I didn't lay eyes on him, I have been in love with this little boy for all this time.

The New York Times

"It is quite difficult not to be able to get out in the street for all this time," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for all this time", ensure the context clearly indicates what has been happening or not happening during the specified period.

Common error

Avoid using "for all this time" when referring to future events. It's best suited for retrospective contexts, not prospective ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for all this time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration over which something has occurred or been the case. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in describing a continuous period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for all this time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates the duration over which something has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reputable news and media sources. While versatile, it's best suited for retrospective contexts to express reflection or surprise, and it’s considered to have a neutral register. Related phrases include "in all this time" and "during all these years". The phrase helps to emphasize the persistence of a situation, making it a valuable tool in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all this time

Slightly more concise and informal alternative.

for the whole of this time

Stresses the uninterrupted nature of the duration.

throughout this entire period

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the duration.

during all these years

Specifically highlights a long duration measured in years.

over this extensive duration

Highlights the length and extensiveness of the time period.

for the duration of this period

Formal way of mentioning time passed.

during this extended period

Focuses on the prolonged nature of the timeframe.

throughout this time frame

Focuses on a defined period with a specific start and end.

during the entirety of this time

Emphasizes the completeness of the duration.

all this while

An older, somewhat archaic way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "for all this time" in a sentence?

You can use "for all this time" to express a sense of duration or persistence, such as, "For all this time, I thought he was being honest."

What's a more formal alternative to "for all this time"?

A more formal alternative could be "during this entire period" or "over this extensive duration", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "during all this time" instead of "for all this time"?

Yes, "during all this time" is a grammatically correct alternative and carries a similar meaning to "for all this time".

What does "all this while" mean, and how does it compare to "for all this time"?

"All this while" is a more archaic or literary way of saying "for all this time". Both phrases refer to a duration of time, but "all this while" might sound slightly more old-fashioned.