taking forever

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking forever" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is taking a long time to happen or complete. It can be used in various situations to express frustration, impatience, or exaggeration. Example: The construction of the new building was taking forever, causing inconvenience to the nearby residents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is taking forever.

The New York Times

The scrum taking forever.

The Guardian - Sport

The bus was taking forever to arrive.

The New Yorker

He's taking forever in there.

The New Yorker

The scene was taking forever.

The New Yorker

Think you're taking forever on your novel?

Stanford University

Why is this fancy divorce taking forever?

The Washington Post

But it seemed to be taking forever.

The New York Times

"You're taking forever to do that!" I said.

The New Yorker

(Looks at watch). And they are taking forever, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

QUESTION FROM NANCY: re: time flying/taking forever on an airpline ride: You ought to try being pregnant and then having the baby!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking forever" to express frustration or impatience when something is delayed or prolonged. For emphasis, consider adding qualifiers like "absolutely" or "unbelievably" before the phrase.

Common error

While "taking forever" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "unduly prolonged" or "excessively delayed" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking forever" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often used to express the continuous or ongoing nature of an action that is perceived as lasting an excessively long time. Ludwig examples confirm this common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

13%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking forever" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is lasting an excessively long time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in more informal settings. While appropriate for everyday conversation and informal writing, it should be used with caution in formal or professional contexts where more sophisticated alternatives may be preferred. Remember to avoid overuse and consider the audience when incorporating "taking forever" into your writing for the best impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking ages

An informal way to express that something is taking a very long time.

dragging on

Focuses on the tiresome and prolonged nature of an event or task.

lasting an eternity

Emphasizes the seemingly endless duration of something.

never-ending

Highlights the lack of a perceived endpoint or conclusion.

going on and on

Suggests a repetitive and seemingly endless continuation.

seemingly endless

Indicates the process appears to have no finish.

inordinately long

Stresses that it is excessively long

excessively delayed

Highlights that it is abnormally delayed.

protracted

A more formal way of saying something is lasting longer than expected.

unconscionably long

Indicates that the process is excessively long and unreasonable.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking forever" to describe a process or event that is taking a long time to complete, such as, "The meeting is "taking forever", I wish it would end".

What are some informal alternatives to "taking forever"?

Informal alternatives to "taking forever" include "taking ages" or "dragging on". These phrases are suitable for casual conversation.

Is "taking forever" grammatically correct?

Yes, "taking forever" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability.

When is it appropriate to use "taking forever" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "taking forever" in informal writing, blog posts, or personal correspondence. For formal reports or academic papers, consider a more formal alternative such as "protracted" or "excessively delayed".