lasted an age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lasted an age" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that took a very long time, often in a somewhat exaggerated or dramatic way. Example: "The meeting lasted an age, and by the end, everyone was exhausted and ready to leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It lasts an age, these two great old warriors throwing everything at each other, and it ends with Federer producing a peach of a forehand down the line to seize another break point.

The Guardian - Sport

The only certaindustrialagemuch change lastedhead that no one really knows how to prepare for.

Huffington Post

In terms of radiant power, then, the Dark Ages lasted a lot longer than you may have thought.

The New Yorker

The effects were more marked (P value<0.03) in pigs infected at a younger age and lasted a longer period.

BMC Veterinary Research

And last, in an age to come—"106 winters after the Fall"—the members of a forest tribe, surviving in primitive conditions, are visited by their streamlined superiors, who zip across the ocean in a kind of aqua-spacecraft.

The New Yorker

And last, in an age to come — "106 winters after the Fall" — the members of a forest tribe, surviving in primitive conditions, are visited by their streamlined superiors, who zip across the ocean in a kind of aqua-spacecraft.

The New Yorker

Have we not at last entered an age of automotive nirvana?

Forbes

My career as a composer lasted from the age of eight to the age of twenty.

The New Yorker

His career lasted until age 13, when a police officer confiscated his inventory.

The New York Times

They could of course put me in jail; I won't last a day at my age.

The New York Times

Help us foster inquiry and learning, starting with the earliest ages and lasting a lifetime.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lasted an age" to emphasize the subjective feeling of a long duration, especially when the experience felt longer than it actually was. This phrase adds a touch of drama or exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "lasted an age" when describing precise, factual durations. This phrase is best suited for expressing a feeling of prolonged time, not a scientifically measured period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lasted an age" functions as a descriptive expression, emphasizing the duration of an event or period. It conveys that something felt exceptionally long. According to Ludwig, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lasted an age" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe events that subjectively felt very long. While Ludwig identifies it as correct, its usage is relatively rare. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Academia. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "took a very long time" or "seemed interminable" may be more appropriate. To best leverage this phrase, use it to add emphasis and a touch of dramatic effect when describing prolonged durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Went on for ages

Expresses a long time using a similar structure but different wording.

Lasted an eternity

A hyperbole to convey a very long duration.

Took a very long time

Expresses duration directly, without the figurative element of "age".

Went on forever

Emphasizes the seemingly endless nature of the duration.

Dragged on endlessly

Highlights the tedious and protracted nature of the duration.

Seemed interminable

Uses a more formal tone to convey a duration that appears without end.

Stretched out indefinitely

Implies that the duration has no set end point and continues without limit.

Extended for a great while

Uses more formal wording than the original phrase.

Prolonged considerably

Focuses on the act of extending the duration, rather than the duration itself.

Persisted for a long duration

Uses a more formal and technical tone.

FAQs

What does "lasted an age" mean?

The phrase "lasted an age" is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that took a very long time, often longer than expected or desired. It emphasizes the feeling that the duration was extensive and perhaps tedious.

When is it appropriate to use "lasted an age" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "lasted an age" when you want to convey a sense of prolonged time and perhaps some impatience or frustration. It is often used to describe events, meetings, or processes that felt longer than they actually were.

What are some alternatives to "lasted an age"?

You can use alternatives like "took a very long time", "went on forever", or "seemed interminable", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "lasted an age" a formal or informal expression?

"Lasted an age" leans towards being an informal expression. It's suitable for casual writing and conversation but might not be the best choice for formal or academic contexts. In such settings, consider using more precise or neutral language.