take forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take forever" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something will take a very long time to complete or happen. Example: "If we don't leave now, it will take forever to get to the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That could take forever.

The New Yorker

"They take forever".

The New York Times

This will take forever.

Cornell University

The elevators take forever.

The New York Times

"It can take forever".

The New York Times

That will take forever.

The Guardian

It seemed to take forever.

The New York Times

"But it won't take forever".

The New York Times

It's going to take forever.

The Guardian

Must take forever to wash," they'd say.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Everything took forever.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "take forever" to express the idea that something requires an excessive amount of time, often more than anticipated or desired. This phrase is suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "take forever" is widely understood, avoid it in highly formal writing where more precise and professional alternatives like "require a significant amount of time" or "be a lengthy process" are better suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take forever" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the duration of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usability. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its application in various contexts, indicating a process or task consuming excessive time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take forever" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that requires an excessive amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility and appropriateness in various situations, from casual conversations to news reporting. While it's suitable for many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Semantically similar alternatives include "last an eternity" and "take ages". As illustrated by Ludwig, "take forever" effectively conveys frustration or impatience regarding prolonged durations. It is frequently used in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last an eternity

This alternative emphasizes the seemingly endless duration of something.

take ages

This is a more informal way of saying something takes a very long time.

never end

This phrase focuses on the lack of termination.

go on and on

This suggests a monotonous and protracted continuation.

drag on

This implies a slow and tedious passage of time.

stretch out

This suggests an extension of time beyond what is desirable.

proceed endlessly

This alternative highlights the ongoing nature without a foreseeable conclusion.

continue indefinitely

This phrase indicates a lack of a defined endpoint.

require a long time

This is a more literal and less emphatic way of expressing the same idea.

be a lengthy process

This emphasizes the prolonged nature of a task or activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "take forever" to describe tasks, processes, or events that require a significant amount of time, such as, "This project is going to "take forever" if we don't get more resources."

What can I say instead of "take forever"?

You can use alternatives like "last an eternity", "take ages", or "require a significant amount of time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "took forever" or "takes forever"?

Yes, both "took forever" and "takes forever" are grammatically correct. "Took forever" is used in the past tense (e.g., "The meeting "took forever""), while "takes forever" is used in the present tense (e.g., "This commute "takes forever"").

What's the difference between "take forever" and "last forever"?

"Take forever" refers to the duration of an activity or process, emphasizing the time it consumes. "Last forever" refers to the continued existence of something, stressing its permanence. For instance, "Building the house will "take forever"," versus "Diamonds "last forever"."