take an age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take an age" is correct and is used in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that an activity or event took a long time. For example, "It seemed to take an age to get to the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The mixture can take an age to beat (unlike cream).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They take an age to soften right through to the core.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We're getting there, even if it sometimes seems to take an age.

The Guardian

"All of these discussions about any unit in geology take an age, almost literally," he said.

The New York Times

You can direct sow, but if the soil is cold, it will take an age to germinate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But forging such a deal could take an age: neither America nor the UN expect any conclusion before late 2008.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Or does it simply take an age-old battle into a new medium?

The Guardian - Opinion

She can only hope to mimic what her teacher has done: Take an age-old craft and stitch new life into it.

The New York Times

Take an age-appropriate CPR course: If you have children look for a pediatric or child CPR class.

Los Angeles Times

That took an age to change.

Independent

Is it taking an age?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take an age" to emphasize the exasperation or frustration associated with a lengthy process or duration. It adds a touch of informality and expressiveness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "take an age" in highly formal or professional documents, as it can sound too casual. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "take a considerable amount of time" or "last for an extended period".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take an age" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as part of a verb phrase to express the duration of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take an age" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey that something requires a significant amount of time. While considered grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. The phrase is frequently found in news, sports, and lifestyle content. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "take a long time" or "require a significant amount of time". The key is to assess your audience and the overall tone of your writing to determine the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a long time

A more literal and common alternative, lacking the idiomatic feel of "take an age".

take forever

Emphasizes the seemingly endless duration, adding a sense of exaggeration.

drag on

Focuses on the tedious and unwelcome continuation of something.

last a long time

A more formal alternative, suitable for factual descriptions of duration.

stretch out

Implies an extension of time, often artificially or unnecessarily.

never end

Highlights the frustrating feeling that something will continue indefinitely.

go on and on

Suggests a repetitive and tiresome continuation.

require ages

A more formal and less common variant that still maintains the idiomatic sense.

consume a lot of time

Focuses on the amount of time used, rather than the perceived duration.

linger

Suggests a slow and reluctant departure or completion.

FAQs

How can I use "take an age" in a sentence?

You can use "take an age" to describe something that seems to last a very long time, for example, "The train seemed to "take an age" to arrive".

What does "take an age" mean?

"Take an age" is an idiomatic expression meaning something takes a very long time or seems to last much longer than expected.

Which is more appropriate, "take a long time" or "take an age"?

"Take a long time" is more neutral and suitable for formal contexts, while ""take an age"" is more informal and adds emphasis to the perceived duration.

Can I use "take an age" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, ""take an age"" is generally better suited for informal writing or speech. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "require a significant amount of time".