prodigious time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prodigious time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or remarkable amount of time spent on an activity or task. Example: "He dedicated a prodigious time to mastering the piano, practicing for hours every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Herschel and his sister Caroline Herschel expended prodigious time and effort in cataloging the nebulae.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the galleries artists at midcareer or beyond presented stellar work, starting with Christian Marclay's prodigious, time-telling splice-fest, "The Clock," which enthralled audiences at the Paula Cooper Gallery (and later at the Venice Biennale).

The New York Times - Arts

Baylor is known as the forerunner to Erving because of his prodigious hang time, but rather than dunk, Baylor finished his flights with elegant finger rolls.

The New York Times - Sports

Luckily, his achievements are so prodigious – six-time world champion and much-decorated Olympian – that his phone company relented.

The Guardian - Sport

But his wife, Bunny, who picked up the phone during the interview, suggested that this had less to do with age than with her husband's prodigious small-time legal career, a record that made not only public authorities but even friends a little wary.

The New York Times

Once up there, he can hold high notes for a prodigious length of time.

The New York Times - Arts

There fell at the same time prodigious torrents of rain on the farms".

The Guardian

It's a prodigious effort in time and cost ($2m spent).

The Guardian - Books

Such a prodigious investment of time and talent indicates an equally prodigious amount of ambition, but surely there must be periods of self-doubt.

The New York Times - Books

AS an oral surgeon, Steven DiRienzo of Warren spends prodigious amounts of time at his office and in operating rooms.

The New York Times

"I knew that Jack needed a lot of help, and what he really needed was somebody who could spend a prodigious amount of time with him, every night, see him, live with him, live with him the way someone in A.A. lives with a drunk," Mr. Mailer said.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prodigious time" when you want to emphasize not just the amount of time, but also the significant effort or dedication involved. For instance, "Herschel and his sister Caroline Herschel expended prodigious time and effort in cataloging the nebulae" highlights both duration and dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "prodigious time" when a simpler term like "long time" or "substantial time" suffices. "Prodigious" implies something exceptional, so reserve it for situations where the time commitment is truly noteworthy or remarkable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prodigious time" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "prodigious" modifies the noun "time". It emphasizes the exceptional quantity of time dedicated to a particular activity or endeavor. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prodigious time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a significant amount of time spent on a particular activity, often implying considerable effort and dedication. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid. While synonyms like "vast amount of time" or "considerable time" can be used, "prodigious time" carries a stronger connotation of exceptional commitment. It's most suitable for formal and professional contexts, particularly in news and media. Remember to reserve it for instances where the time investment is truly noteworthy. Although many examples are extracted from credible sources, ensure its use aligns with the intended emphasis on substantial effort and duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast amount of time

Replaces "prodigious" with a more common synonym, focusing on the large quantity of time.

considerable time

Offers a less intense alternative, emphasizing the substantial nature of the time period.

substantial period

Shifts the focus from effort to duration, using a more neutral term for "time".

extensive duration

Highlights the length of time, using a more formal and descriptive phrase.

lengthy period

Similar to "substantial period", but may imply a tedious or drawn-out experience.

significant time investment

Emphasizes the effort and resources dedicated to an activity over time.

remarkable amount of time

Replaces "prodigious" with a more emphatic synonym, stressing the unusual quantity of time.

enormous length of time

Focuses on the long duration, using strong adjectives to convey the scale.

ungodly hour

This is a slang alternative used when someone is spending a lot of time on something till very late.

a king's ransom in time

This is an idiom referring to the equivalent high value of time.

FAQs

How can I use "prodigious time" in a sentence?

You can use "prodigious time" to describe a remarkably large amount of time spent on something, often implying significant effort or dedication. For example, "She dedicated a prodigious time to researching her family history."

What are some alternatives to "prodigious time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "vast amount of time", "considerable time", or "significant time investment".

Is it always appropriate to use "prodigious time"?

While grammatically correct, "prodigious time" is best used when you want to emphasize the exceptional nature of the time spent, implying significant effort or dedication. Using it in everyday contexts might sound overly formal or dramatic.

What's the difference between "prodigious time" and "a lot of time"?

"Prodigious time" suggests a remarkable and noteworthy amount of time coupled with great effort, whereas "a lot of time" simply indicates a large quantity of time without necessarily implying exceptional effort.