lasted for ages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lasted for ages" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that continued for a long time, often in a casual or informal context. An example would be: "The meeting lasted for ages, and I started to lose focus." Alternative expressions include "went on for a long time" and "continued for an eternity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Working on the series, he recalled, he and Morris would have "conversations that lasted for ages about the typeface on a poster in the background".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I buy a big jar and it lasts for ages.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stilton quiche Stilton lasts for ages in the freezer.

Independent

If nothing else, it smells delish and lasts for ages.

Independent

It'll last for ages, then it will improve and then it will get worse again.

The Guardian

Any good cheesemongers or Italian grocers should have it, or it is easily found online and lasts for ages.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of course I'd much rather buy one or two lovely high-quality tees which would last for ages.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even if you're not a vegetarian, tofu is definitely a great choice; it's cheap, lasts for ages and soaks up flavour like a sponge.

The Guardian

Having some flour or rice etc. around seems useful to me - and it would be a bit crazy to use up all the baking powder in one shot... it lasts for ages anyway.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The whole thing lasts for ages, not because of epic roll, but because it's a string of dull little bits, each over in a flash, none leading anywhere.

The Guardian

And if tahini hasn't yet earnt a place in your fridge – where it will happily last for ages – this might be the perfect moment to give it a try.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lasted for ages" to emphasize the subjective experience of time in narratives or editorial pieces. It effectively communicates that a duration felt much longer than it actually was.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase in scientific or legal writing where objective precision is required. In such cases, replace hyperbole with specific measurements of time to ensure clarity and professional accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lasted for ages" functions as a verb phrase used to describe a duration that is perceived as exceptionally long. In the context of Ludwig, it is categorized as a correct idiomatic expression where the noun 'ages' serves as a hyperbolic substitute for a specific time frame.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lasted for ages" is a grammatically correct and expressive way to denote long duration. According to Ludwig AI, while the specific past-tense form is less frequent in the search data than its present-tense counterparts, the underlying idiomatic structure is common in journalistic and general writing. It is most effective when used to convey a subjective sense of time or to emphasize the durability of an object. However, writers should favor more precise language in formal, scientific or legal contexts where hyperbole might be misinterpreted as a literal measurement. Overall, it remains a staple of natural English prose for creating vivid, relatable descriptions of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued for ages

swaps the verb while keeping the hyperbolic 'ages' for emphasis.

went on for a long time

provides a more literal and neutral description of duration.

continued for an eternity

increases the hyperbolic intensity to suggest extreme boredom or length.

seemed to last forever

shifts the focus to the subjective perception of time passing.

dragged on for hours

adds a negative connotation, suggesting the duration was tedious.

persisted for years

is more precise and slightly more formal for long-term situations.

stretched on for years

visualizes the time as being physically elongated.

endured for a lifetime

suggests a sense of survival or significant permanence.

went on indefinitely

implies that the end point was unknown or non-existent.

lasted quite a while

softens the hyperbole to a more moderate, understated length.

FAQs

How to use "lasted for ages" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an event that felt very long, such as: "The ceremony "lasted for ages", but the reception was quite brief."

What can I say instead of "lasted for ages"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "went on for a long time", "continued for an extended period" or "dragged on forever".

Which is correct, "lasted for ages" or "lasted for years"?

Both are correct. "lasted for ages" is often hyperbolic and idiomatic, whereas "lasted for years" is more likely to be taken as a literal measurement of time.

Is "lasted for ages" formal?

No, it is generally considered informal or neutral. In formal documents, consider using "persisted for a significant duration" instead.