seem like forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem like forever" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "seems like forever." You can use it to express the feeling that a duration of time feels excessively long. Example: "Waiting for the bus felt like it seemed like forever."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Otherwise it'll seem like forever".

The New York Times

Go get a good workout; go out there next time with conviction.' "You know, the days between starts can seem like forever.

The New York Times - Sports

It is best to put the pot on the stove before major hunger sets in -- 45 minutes can seem like forever.

The New York Times - Food

But kids are kids, and as soon as you've committed to having them, your entertainment options are drastically altered forever -- or at least for a couple of decades that seem like forever.

The New York Times

Some days seem like forever, and years later, you still remember how you felt that day.

Huffington Post

"Just a day can seem like forever as it is so intense.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Seems like forever ago," Isner said.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobel Prize ("Seems like forever ago... ..) Obesity ("Michelle is on it, America's Fat Kids Scourge").

Huffington Post

But, considering the stakes, those five and a half minutes likely seemed like forever — especially for the Americans.

The New York Times

It seemed like forever.

The New Yorker

"That seems like forever ago".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event, try to add specific context to why something seemed long. For example, instead of saying "The meeting seemed like forever", try "The meeting seemed like forever because the speaker droned on about irrelevant details".

Common error

Avoid using "seem like forever" due to its grammatical incorrectness. Always ensure the verb 'seem' agrees with its subject; in this case, it should be 'seems' when referring to a singular, non-personal subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem like forever" functions as a descriptive expression indicating a subjective perception of time. Although grammatically incorrect, it aims to convey that a duration feels exceedingly long. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "seems like forever."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "seem like forever" is used to describe a period that feels exceptionally long, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "seems like forever". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase isn't correct in standard written English. While you may find it in various sources such as news media and online guides, remember that using the proper grammatical form enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing. Alternatives like "feels like an eternity" or "lasts forever" can also effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feels like an eternity

Emphasizes the seemingly endless duration, using a stronger word 'eternity'.

seems like a lifetime

Relates the duration to a significant portion of life, implying a very long time.

lasts forever

A more direct statement indicating that something continues without end.

drags on endlessly

Focuses on the tedious and prolonged nature of the experience.

never seems to end

Highlights the lack of a perceived conclusion to the duration.

time stretches out

Describes the subjective experience of time dilation.

passes incredibly slowly

Directly states the slowness of the passage of time.

takes an age

An idiomatic expression indicating a very long time.

feels interminable

Uses a formal word to convey the feeling of unending duration.

spans an epoch

Compares the length to a long period of history

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "seem like forever"?

The grammatically correct way to express that something feels like a very long time is to use "seems like forever". Ensure the verb 'seem' agrees with its subject.

What does "seems like forever" mean?

The phrase "seems like forever" is used to express the feeling that a period of time feels subjectively very long, often longer than it actually is.

Are there alternatives to saying "seems like forever"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "feels like an eternity", "seems like a lifetime", or "never seems to end" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "seem like forever" grammatically correct?

No, "seem like forever" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "seems like forever", as the singular verb 'seems' should be used.