this entire time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this entire time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the duration of an event or situation that has been ongoing without interruption. Example: "I thought you were on vacation, but you were here this entire time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Silver is fighting a dozen demons at once and things seem dire when Rishna reveals that HE WAS ACTUALLY CAPTAIN NEWFOUNDLAND THIS ENTIRE TIME, FUCK YES and teleports to Hell to battle Satn directly.

Vice

Your roommate has been in his bedroom this entire time.

The New Yorker

At the exit, she said sternly, "Not once this entire time have you all been together".

The New Yorker

"This entire time," Ms. Ruiz said, "she's yelling at the dogs, she's pulling the dogs.

The New York Times

The daily negations have been at fault this entire time — not you!

The New Yorker

"He was riveted on the delegate this entire time," Captain Peters said.

The New York Times

"I had no idea what's happening to me during this entire time.

The New York Times - Health

I am in perfectly good health and feeling strong, and have been this entire time completely symptom-free".

The Guardian

Yes, they've had the ability to unleash a lot of hurt on our heroes this entire time.

The New Yorker

"He's the only one who had access this entire time; therefore he's the one who did this.

The New York Times

They are one step closer to getting their kids back, and that's been the most important thing to them this entire time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this entire time" to emphasize the continuity or unexpected nature of a situation. It's particularly effective when revealing a surprising fact or outcome that persisted throughout a specific period.

Common error

Avoid using "this entire time" when referring to brief or instantaneous moments. The phrase implies a sustained period, so ensure the context supports the implication of duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this entire time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts to indicate continuity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this entire time" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial to emphasize the continuity or unexpected persistence of a situation. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring the context supports the implication of duration. For alternatives, consider "all this while" or "throughout this duration" for similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all this while

Emphasizes duration, similar to "this entire time", but with a slightly more literary feel.

during this whole period

Replaces "time" with "period" and adds "whole" for emphasis on the duration.

throughout this duration

Uses "duration" instead of "time", highlighting the length of the period.

for the duration

A more concise way to express the same idea, focusing on the defined length of something.

the whole time

A simpler, more direct way to say "this entire time", suitable for informal contexts.

for the length of time

Adds a bit of formality by explicitly stating the length of time.

the whole period

Similar to "the whole time", but uses "period" instead of "time".

during the course of this time

More formal and emphasizes the unfolding of events during the period.

over this extended period

Highlights the prolonged nature of the time being referred to.

for the full duration

Stresses the completeness of the time span.

FAQs

How can I use "this entire time" in a sentence?

You can use "this entire time" to emphasize that something has been happening continuously throughout a specific period. For example, "I thought you were joking, but you've been serious "this entire time"".

What's a more concise way to say "this entire time"?

A shorter alternative to "this entire time" could be "all along" or "throughout". The best option depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "during this entire time"?

While not strictly redundant, "during "this entire time"" can often be simplified to just "during this time" or "throughout this period" for better conciseness.

How does "this entire time" differ from "all the time"?

"This entire time" refers to a specific duration that has been established, while "all the time" suggests a more general, ongoing frequency or habit.