it feels like forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it feels like forever" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase whenever you are expressing that something seems like it has gone on for a very long time. For example, "I've been studying for this exam for hours; it feels like forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It feels like forever.

Independent

It has been that way, it feels like, forever.

The New York Times - Sports

Though the delay lasts only 10 minutes, it feels like forever.

The New York Times

"When you are younger, it feels like forever," Mr. Cohen said.

The New York Times

It feels like forever to me, but it's a short period of time compared with people I know who are going on 5 or 7 or 10 years living with cancer.

The New York Times

"It feels like forever since I last met up (with Wales)," said Allen.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It felt like forever".

The New Yorker

"But it felt like forever".

The New York Times - Sports

"It felt like forever," said quarterback Mark Sanchez, referring to the period since their season-ending loss to Miami on Jan . 1

The New York Times - Sports

"When I was homesick, it felt like forever," Ms. Volk says.

The New York Times

Over a wheezy musical backing of creaking keyboards and distant percussion, the sisters sing solemnly about the passing of time ("it felt like forever but in a glimpse was lost") and a kind of unplaced sadness ("my greatest harness is the water down my cheeks").

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "it feels like forever" to effectively communicate a subjective experience of time, particularly when a relatively short period feels much longer due to boredom, anticipation, or discomfort.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "it feels like forever" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise language when objective measurements of time are more appropriate or impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it feels like forever" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing, conveying a subjective perception of time, where a duration seems significantly longer than its actual length. This commonly expresses feelings of impatience or anticipation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Huffington Post

27%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Forbes

3%

TechCrunch

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it feels like forever" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that vividly conveys the subjective experience of time stretching out. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While appropriate for general and news contexts, it should be used cautiously in formal writing where precise time measurements are preferred. Alternatives such as "it seems like an eternity" or "it feels like ages ago" can offer similar expressiveness. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's versatility in describing feelings of impatience, anticipation, or the perceived slowness of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems like an eternity

Emphasizes a sense of vast, seemingly endless duration.

it feels like ages ago

Highlights the feeling that something happened a long time in the past.

it feels like a lifetime

Indicates that an event or period has had a profound and transformative impact.

it feels like it was eons ago

Uses "eons" to convey an immense and almost immeasurable passage of time.

it feels like a distant memory

Highlights the fading and indistinct quality of a past experience.

it feels like it happened in another life

Suggests a complete separation from the present, as if the past experience belongs to a different person or time.

time stretches on endlessly

Focuses on the subjective experience of time moving very slowly.

the wait has been excruciating

Emphasizes the painful and unbearable nature of a prolonged period of waiting.

it's been a long time coming

Highlights the extended anticipation and preparation leading up to an event.

the days have dragged on

Focuses on the tedious and slow passage of each day.

FAQs

How can I use "it feels like forever" in a sentence?

You can use "it feels like forever" to express that something seems to have lasted a very long time, like in the sentence, "I've been waiting for this package, "it feels like forever" since I ordered it."

What's a more formal alternative to "it feels like forever"?

In formal contexts, you might consider using phrases like "the duration seemed extensive" or "the period felt prolonged" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is "it feels like forever" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it feels like forever" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to describe a subjective experience of time.

What is the difference between "it feels like forever" and "it has been a long time"?

"It feels like forever" emphasizes a subjective feeling of time stretching, whereas "it has been a long time" is a more objective statement about the duration that has passed.