in all this time

USAGE SUMMARY

"in all this time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a significant period of time that has passed, usually implying a sense of surprise that a thing or situation has not changed. For example, "In all this time, she has remained true to her values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

On Thursday, Bank of America and other mortgage companies -- 13 in all, this time -- finalized a separate $9.3 billion settlement with federal bank regulators to resolve similar claims.

Huffington Post

The year 2010 was her second busiest after 2005, having appeared in eight films in all, this time in four languages.

Wikipedia

I had put in all this time and effort.

The New York Times - Magazine

He hasn't moved an inch in all this time.

The New Yorker

"You haven't used that suitcase in all this time?" "No.

The Guardian - Books

If you want tenure or advancement, you have to put in all this time.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Sting in Tuscany: All This Time," tomorrow night on A&E, also gains depth from its circumstances.

The New York Times

"I have been in football all this time.

BBC

Which brings us to what Boris was thinking about when he was in exile all this time.

Los Angeles Times

"Yet in all of this time there has been no debate, nor any consultation within the Labour party.

The Guardian

In all this neuroses, time ticked by slowly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in all this time" to express surprise or emphasis when something expected has not happened or changed over a considerable period.

Common error

Avoid using "in all this time" with present perfect continuous tense when a simple past tense is more appropriate. For example, instead of "What have you been doing in all this time?" consider "What did you do in all this time?" to focus on a completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in all this time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration over which an action or state has persisted. It emphasizes the length of time and often carries an implication of surprise or expectation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in all this time" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the duration of a period, often expressing surprise or expectation. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as correct and usable. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and wiki articles. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the surrounding context to ensure the intended tone is conveyed effectively. While versatile, being mindful of the tense usage and choosing more formal alternatives when necessary can improve clarity and precision in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during all this period

This alternative uses "period" instead of "time", emphasizing a specific stretch of time.

throughout this entire time

This alternative adds emphasis with "entire", highlighting the completeness of the duration.

over the course of this time

This alternative offers a more formal tone, emphasizing the progression of time.

all throughout this duration

This alternative replaces "time" with "duration", focusing on the length of the period.

in the entirety of this time

This alternative uses "entirety" to stress the completeness of the duration.

during this whole time

This version is slightly more informal, replacing "all" with "whole".

for the duration of this time

This emphasizes the time as a fixed period with a defined beginning and end.

in this length of time

This alternative focuses on the measurable aspect of time.

through all these years

This alternative specifies the time period as "years", adding a sense of longevity.

over this extended period

This alternative highlights that the period of time has been prolonged.

FAQs

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

Use "in all this time" to highlight a duration where something significant hasn't occurred or changed, expressing surprise or emphasis. For example, "In all this time he has never apologized".

What phrases are similar to "in all this time"?

Similar phrases include "during this period", "throughout this entire time", and "over the course of this time", each adding a slightly different nuance to the duration being discussed.

Is it better to use "in all this time" or "during this time"?

"In all this time" implies a sense of surprise or prolonged duration where something was expected to happen but did not. "During this time" is more neutral and simply refers to a period without necessarily implying surprise.

Can "in all this time" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "in all this time" is suitable for formal writing. While it can convey a sense of surprise, it is grammatically correct and widely used in news articles, academic papers, and other professional contexts. Make sure the tone matches the intent, though. Alternatives such as "over the course of this period" may be more appropriate for extremely formal contexts.