take ages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take ages" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an activity or process is taking a long time. For example, "I've been waiting in line for an hour - it's taking ages!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At this rate, it will take ages.

The New York Times

He seemed to take ages.

The Guardian - Arts

"I'd take ages to put them out.

The New Yorker

The report finds that many websites take ages to explore.

The Economist

The Fed may take ages to normalise interest rates.

The Economist

Plus, the alternative route through central Botswana would take ages.

The Guardian - Travel

I drop things and take ages to get dressed".

The Guardian

It's going to take ages yet to get it dry.

The Guardian - Sport

Looking back, the first one seemed to take ages.

The Guardian

That will take ages, to make an album.

The Guardian - Music

I would take ages to do small tasks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take ages" to emphasize that a task or process requires a considerable and perhaps unexpectedly long time, adding a touch of informality to your writing.

Common error

While "take ages" is widely understood, it's best reserved for informal or neutral writing. In formal reports or academic papers, opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "require a significant amount of time" or "be a lengthy process."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take ages" functions as a verb phrase expressing the duration required to complete a task or process. It describes the action of something consuming a significant amount of time. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take ages" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express that something requires a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples from Ludwig illustrate its prevalence in various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral, it is best to avoid "take ages" in formal writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "require a significant amount of time" in professional or academic settings. Remember to use "take ages" to add a touch of informality and emphasize duration in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require a long time

More formal and less idiomatic.

drag on

Suggests the process is slow, boring or tedious.

last a long while

Emphasizes duration and continuation over time.

be a lengthy process

Formal and emphasizes the procedural nature.

consume a great deal of time

Highlights the amount of time used, more formal.

eat up time

Focuses on time as a resource being used.

stretch on for quite some time

Implies a perceived slowness or tediousness.

be prolonged

Formal and suggests an extension of the expected duration.

go on forever

Hyperbolic, implying a seemingly endless duration.

never end

Highlights the seemingly infinite duration.

FAQs

What does "take ages" mean?

The phrase "take ages" means that something requires a significant amount of time, often longer than expected. It's an idiomatic way of expressing that a task or process is time-consuming.

How can I use "take ages" in a sentence?

You can use "take ages" in sentences like: "It will "require a long time" to finish this project", or "The repairs are "lasting a long while"."

What are some alternatives to "take ages"?

Alternatives to "take ages" include "require a long time", "last a long while", "consume a great deal of time" depending on the context.

Is "take ages" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "take ages" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise alternatives like "be a lengthy process" or "require a significant amount of time".