taking an eternity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking an eternity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that feels like it is taking an excessively long time to happen or be completed. Example: "Waiting for the bus felt like taking an eternity, especially in the cold weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was a momentous occasion that Williams appeared to savour, taking an eternity by her standards – 57 minutes – to beat Mandy Minella 6-1, 6-3.

The Guardian - Sport

The turnaround probably feels as if it's taking an eternity to Coach Jim Schwartz, but the Lions are ahead of where almost everyone thought they would be two years into rebuilding.

The New York Times - Sports

El Ashkar, the creative arm of the group, designed a brilliant logo shaped like a snail -- the curved shell representing the @ sign for the Internet and the front with antennas shaped as the letter y to ask why it's taking an eternity to provide the country with decent service.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The job took an eternity.

The Guardian - Film

The whole thing takes an eternity — a vampire lifetime!

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the movie took an eternity to get made.

The Guardian - Film

It takes an eternity to get from the warm-up track to the stadium track.

The New York Times

I still hope it won't take an eternity for improvement to come.

Independent

Still, he said of his recent success, "Feels like it took an eternity to get here".

The New York Times - Sports

I ring the bell and it takes an eternity for her to come down.

The Guardian

"To me, it looked like markmaking that would have taken an eternity," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking an eternity", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended sense of prolonged duration or delay. Avoid overuse for minor delays.

Common error

Avoid using "taking an eternity" for short waits or minor inconveniences. It's best reserved for situations where the delay is genuinely significant and feels subjectively very long.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking an eternity" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and is used to express that something requires an exceptionally long time to complete.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking an eternity" is a verb phrase used to express that something is taking a very long time. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct, though it's relatively rare in usage. The phrase is mostly found in news and media contexts and is used to emphasize duration or express frustration. For formal writing, more precise language may be preferred. When deciding to use it, consider if you really want to put emphasis on the time duration, and choose to use a more direct statement otherwise. Also, remember that even if perfectly valid is considered rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking what feels like an eternity

Adding "what feels like" enhances the subjective perception of prolonged time.

feeling like forever

Focuses on the subjective experience of time passing slowly.

seeming endless

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of something having no end.

never-ending

Highlights the continuous and infinite nature of the duration.

lasting forever

Focuses on the endless duration, rather than the active process of taking time.

going on forever

Similar to "lasting forever", but with an active verb.

lasting ages

Uses "ages" as a hyperbole for a very long time.

taking a lifetime

Relates the duration to the span of a human life.

dragging on

Implies a tedious and slow progression of time.

proceeding at a snail's pace

Emphasizes slowness more than duration, implying a lack of progress.

FAQs

What does "taking an eternity" mean?

The phrase "taking an eternity" means something is taking a very long time, often longer than expected or desired. It emphasizes the feeling of endlessness or significant delay.

How can I use "taking an eternity" in a sentence?

You can use "taking an eternity" to describe an action or process that seems to last an exceptionally long time. For example, "The traffic jam was "taking an eternity" to clear."

What are some alternatives to "taking an eternity"?

Some alternatives to "taking an eternity" include "lasting forever", "seeming endless", or "dragging on". Each carries a slightly different nuance of prolonged duration.

Is it appropriate to use "taking an eternity" in formal writing?

While "taking an eternity" is understandable, it may be more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language to describe the length of time or the nature of the delay.