it feels longer

USAGE SUMMARY

"it feels longer" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a perfectly acceptable phrase to express the perception of time passing at a slower pace. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a boring class or a long wait. Example: "The teacher was droning on about algebra, and it felt like the class would never end. It feels longer when you're not interested in the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Gravity plays out more or less in real time over its 90 minutes, but it feels longer, partially because Gravity looks so beautiful and is so exquisitely detailed that you'll want to pause to admire every tableau.

Huffington Post

"It feels longer," he admits.

The Guardian

It is not yet 28 months since the referendum, but it feels longer.

The Guardian - Opinion

The language is extremely dense — late James in all his rococo rhetorical finery — and though the book runs only some hundred pages, it casts a spell not merely shadowy but extensive: it feels longer than it is.

The New Yorker

Although this shift to the first person lasts for about six seconds, a standard shot length in contemporary movies, it feels longer because you're abruptly removed from the visual and aural chaos.

The New York Times

Being frightened of childbirth can prolong labour – by an average of 47 minutes, but it feels longer – increase the need for pain relief, make a caesarean section more likely and raise the risk of postpartum depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Richard Negroni said: "We just heard shots, it was less than a minute, it felt longer.

The Guardian

Jones spent six weeks living in Rome, though it felt longer.

The Guardian - Music

Brown nods, and says it was the intensity of their time together that made it feel longer than it was.

The Guardian - Music

The show clocked in at a relatively long three hours and 32 minutes, but at times it felt longer than it actually was.

The New York Times

"I'd been in the job for three years, but it felt longer because it was tied to the graduate school I had attended.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it feels longer" to describe subjective experiences where the perceived duration differs from the actual time, such as during periods of boredom, anxiety, or intense focus. For example: "Waiting for the test results felt longer than the actual exam."

Common error

Avoid using "it feels longer" when discussing precise, measurable durations. This phrase is best suited for subjective impressions rather than factual statements about time. Example: Instead of "The meeting felt longer, it was exactly two hours", try "The meeting felt longer than two hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it feels longer" functions as an expressive phrase, conveying a subjective perception of time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It describes how time is experienced rather than its objective measurement, exemplified in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it feels longer" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to convey a subjective perception of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for describing instances where the perceived duration exceeds the actual duration, typically influenced by emotional or contextual factors. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to emphasize the experienced slowness of events. While versatile, it is best used for subjective impressions rather than precise time measurements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it feels like forever

Expresses a subjective feeling of a very long duration.

it feels endless

Implies that the experience has no foreseeable end.

time stretches out

Focuses on the elongation of time rather than the feeling.

time passes slowly

A simple statement about the rate of time's passage.

the time drags on

Highlights the slow and often tedious passage of time.

the minutes crawl by

Illustrates the slowness of time's progression.

it seems like an eternity

Emphasizes the extreme length of time, often hyperbolically.

it's a drawn-out experience

Focuses on the extended nature of the experience itself.

it's a lengthy period

Describes the extended duration in a more objective manner.

it tests your patience

Highlights the frustrating aspect of a prolonged wait or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "it feels longer" in a sentence?

You can use "it feels longer" to describe a situation where the perceived duration is greater than the actual duration. For example: "Although the presentation was only 30 minutes, "it felt longer" because the speaker was monotonous."

What's a more formal way to say "it feels longer"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the duration seemed protracted" or "the experience was perceived as lengthy" instead of "it feels longer".

Is it ever incorrect to use "it feels longer"?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "it feels longer" when providing precise or objective time measurements. It's more appropriate for subjective experiences of time.

What's the difference between "it feels longer" and "it is longer"?

"It is longer" states an objective fact about time, whereas "it feels longer" expresses a subjective perception. The former is measurable, while the latter is based on personal experience.