it took ages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took ages" is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English.
Examples of when you can use it include: 1. When describing a long wait or delay: "After we submitted our application, it took ages for the company to get back to us." 2. When expressing frustration or impatience: "I had to wait in line for hours at the DMV. It took ages to finally get my driver's license." 3. When talking about a slow process or progress: "We started renovating our house last year, but it seems like it's taking ages to finish." 4. When describing a time-consuming task: "I spent all day cleaning the house and it still looks messy. It took ages and I'm exhausted." 5. When describing a lengthy event or experience: "We took a road trip across the country, and it felt like it took ages to reach our final destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It took ages for "my fee" to snake its way through the crowd, during which I genially fingerpicked A minor on the guitar.

The Guardian

It took ages to complete an over.

The Guardian - Sport

It took ages to get through.

The Guardian - Books

"It took ages to sort everything into different types.

The Guardian

"It took ages to get to play there in the first place," he says.

The Guardian - Film

It took ages to get the carpet up as we had to move all the furniture.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

It takes ages.

The Guardian - Film

It takes ages to find her.

The Guardian - Books

It takes ages and is really fiddly.

The Guardian

It takes ages just to grow one, though.

The Guardian

And when the iPhone 7 is dead it takes ages to charge it up again.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it took ages", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

While "it took ages" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "it took a long time" or "the process was time-consuming" for a more polished and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took ages" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that a task or event required a significant amount of time. Ludwig examples confirm this, demonstrating its common usage in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it took ages" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize that something required a significant amount of time. Ludwig's analysis reveals it's most frequently used in news and media contexts and generally considered informal. While acceptable, varying your language with alternatives is recommended for more formal writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it took a long time

This alternative is a more literal and less emphatic way of saying something required considerable time.

it took forever

This alternative is a more informal and emphatic way to express that something took a very long time.

it required considerable time

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the amount of time needed.

it was a lengthy process

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the process rather than the time itself.

the process was time-consuming

This alternative focuses on the process being lengthy and requiring a significant time investment.

it dragged on

This alternative suggests something was boring or unpleasant while taking a long time.

it was a protracted affair

This alternative is quite formal and suggests that something was unnecessarily prolonged.

it spanned many years

This alternative specifies the duration, focusing on years as the unit of time.

it was a drawn-out ordeal

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty and unpleasantness of the time-consuming experience.

it was a slow burn

This alternative suggests that something developed gradually over a long period.

FAQs

What does "it took ages" mean?

The phrase "it took ages" means that something required a considerable amount of time to complete. It expresses that the duration was perceived as long or longer than expected.

How can I use "it took ages" in a sentence?

You can use "it took ages" to describe any activity or process that consumed a significant amount of time. For example, "It took ages to get through the traffic" or "It took ages to complete the project".

What can I say instead of "it took ages"?

You can use alternatives like "it took a long time", "it took forever", or "the process was time-consuming" depending on the context.

Is "it took ages" formal or informal?

"It took ages" is generally considered an informal expression. In more formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives such as "it required considerable time" or "the process was lengthy".