takes ages

USAGE SUMMARY

"takes ages" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is taking a long time to happen. For example: "It takes ages to get through security at the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This takes ages - hurrah.

Independent

Getting planning approval takes ages.

The Economist

It takes ages.

The Guardian - Film

Labour takes ages.

The Guardian - Opinion

It takes ages and is really fiddly.

The Guardian

It takes ages to find her.

The Guardian - Books

Dealing with the situation takes ages.

The Guardian

She later reportedly said that under Isis "everything… takes ages, except killing, that's done very quickly".

Independent

(Finely diced is too difficult for a beginner cook – it takes ages).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He's not vulnerable right away; it takes ages to get to that part of him.

The New York Times

And when the iPhone 7 is dead it takes ages to charge it up again.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "takes ages" to emphasize that a task or process is longer than expected or desired, adding a touch of informality to your writing. It's particularly effective when describing everyday experiences or frustrations.

Common error

While "takes ages" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "is time-consuming" or "requires a significant amount of time" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes ages" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the duration of an action or process. It indicates that something requires a significant amount of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "takes ages" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that something requires a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts and should be used sparingly in highly formal or professional settings. Remember to consider alternatives like "is time-consuming" for a more formal tone. The phrase sees frequent usage in news, media and wiki, according to Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes a long time

A more literal and direct way of saying something requires much time.

takes forever

An informal and emphatic way of saying something takes a very long time.

is time-consuming

Highlights that the activity uses a lot of time.

is a lengthy process

Focuses on the process itself being long, rather than the time it takes.

requires a significant amount of time

A more formal way of expressing that something takes a long time.

eats up a lot of time

Highlights that the activity consumes available time.

dragged on

Implies the process was longer than expected or desired.

lasts for a long duration

Emphasizes the length of time something continues.

is a drawn-out affair

Suggests the task or event is unnecessarily long and possibly tedious.

is a marathon

Uses a metaphor to compare a task to a long-distance race, implying it requires endurance and time.

FAQs

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

You can use "takes ages" to describe any activity or process that requires a lot of time. For example, "It "takes ages" to get through airport security" or "Learning a new language "takes ages" but is ultimately rewarding."

What's a more formal alternative to "takes ages"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "is time-consuming", "requires a significant amount of time", or "is a lengthy process" instead of ""takes ages"".

Is "takes ages" appropriate for professional writing?

While ""takes ages"" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In professional writing, opt for more neutral alternatives to maintain a formal tone.

What does it mean when something "takes ages"?

When something ""takes ages"", it means that it requires a considerable amount of time to complete or happen, often more than expected or desired. It implies a sense of duration and sometimes frustration.