it takes forever

USAGE SUMMARY

"It takes forever" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase that means something requires a long period of time or is taking too long. For example: "I've been waiting for the bus for 45 minutes - it takes forever!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Yes, it takes forever).

The New Yorker

It takes forever.

The New Yorker

It takes forever and delivers poor results.

The Guardian

"It takes forever to find the track.

The New York Times - Arts

"It takes forever here," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead it takes forever and costs a lot".

The New York Times

It's very hard to do and it takes forever".

The New York Times - Arts

It takes forever for the sepulchral film to get going.

The Guardian - Film

"In France, it takes forever to be head chef.

The New York Times

"People just leave because it takes forever," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Makeup doesn't interest her-- It takes forever and doesn't make you look better after 30".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it takes forever" to emphasize the excessive duration of an activity or process. It's suitable for expressing frustration or impatience in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it takes forever" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional language like "the process is time-consuming" or "the duration is extensive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it takes forever" functions as an idiomatic expression to emphasize the perceived length of time required for something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It acts as a subjective assessment of duration, often conveying frustration or impatience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it takes forever" is a common and acceptable phrase in English, particularly in informal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use, but should be used judiciously in formal writing. It is used to express the subjective perception of a lengthy duration, often with connotations of frustration. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Academia, demonstrating its widespread understanding and usage. For more formal situations, alternatives such as "it is a lengthy process" or "the duration is extensive" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it takes ages

Replaces "forever" with "ages", implying a very long time in a more informal manner.

it lasts an eternity

Substitutes "takes" with "lasts" and "forever" with "an eternity", emphasizing the seemingly infinite duration.

it requires a considerable amount of time

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal and descriptive phrase.

it drags on endlessly

Focuses on the tedious and prolonged nature of the process or task.

it never seems to end

Highlights the perception of the activity having no foreseeable conclusion.

it stretches out indefinitely

Emphasizes the lack of a defined endpoint for the duration.

it goes on and on

A simple and repetitive expression to convey something taking too long.

it is a lengthy process

A straightforward description highlighting the extended duration of a process.

it is a drawn-out affair

Suggests that something is unnecessarily prolonged and perhaps tedious.

it has no end in sight

Indicates the perceived absence of a conclusion or resolution.

FAQs

What does the phrase "it takes forever" mean?

The phrase "it takes forever" is an informal expression used to describe something that requires a long time or feels like it is taking an excessively long time to complete.

How can I use "it takes forever" in a sentence?

You can use "it takes forever" to express frustration or impatience about the duration of something. For example, "Waiting in line at the DMV "it takes forever"."

What are some alternatives to "it takes forever"?

Alternatives to "it takes forever" include "it takes ages", "it lasts an eternity", or "it requires a considerable amount of time", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "it takes forever" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "it takes forever" is generally considered too informal for academic or professional writing. More suitable alternatives would be "it is a lengthy process" or "the duration is extensive".