took long enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"took long enough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express impatience or frustration with the amount of time it took for something to happen. Example: "I've been waiting for my food for 45 minutes, it took long enough!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It took long enough".

The New York Times

"It took long enough to get gay marriage," Ms. Nicolosi added.

The New York Times

Most of our friends were like, 'My goodness, that took long enough.' " VINCENT M. MALLOZZI.

The New York Times

Told of the settlement, Kevin Milan, a relative of Mr. Hobley, said, "They took long enough".

The New York Times

It took long enough to get here that he will not complain.

The New York Times - Sports

The question, of course, is not whether Obama has made a good enough case - although it took long enough - but whether he will be able to follow through.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Closings can take long enough as it is.

The New York Times

Champagne football at last, but it has taken long enough to arrive.

Independent

It's taken long enough already; almost two minutes have passed.

The Guardian - Sport

If it takes long enough, I break out in a sweat and often completely stop breathing.

The Guardian - Opinion

They take long enough to thaw that there may be time for significant bacterial growth on their surfaces.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took long enough" to express a sense of relief or satisfaction mixed with impatience when something finally occurs after a significant delay. It adds a touch of informal commentary.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "took long enough" repeatedly in close succession. Vary your expressions to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took long enough" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express the speaker's attitude towards the duration of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took long enough" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey impatience, frustration, or belated satisfaction when something finally happens after a significant delay. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in News & Media sources, with a generally informal register. When writing, consider the context to avoid overuse and maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "it was about time" or "finally happened" can offer a more formal tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was about time

This alternative is less direct and more subtly expresses the feeling that something should have happened sooner.

finally happened

This alternative is a more straightforward statement that something has occurred after a period of waiting.

it's long overdue

This alternative emphasizes that something should have happened much earlier.

it's about time it happened

This alternative expresses a stronger sense of impatience and satisfaction that something finally occurred.

we've waited long enough

This alternative emphasizes the collective waiting and anticipation.

it has been a long time coming

This alternative suggests that something was expected or anticipated for a considerable period.

at long last

This alternative is a more formal and literary way of saying something finally happened after a long delay.

it was high time

This alternative is a more forceful expression indicating that something was urgently needed or expected.

belatedly

This alternative is a single word to describe something that is delayed.

eventually

This alternative is a single word to describe something that is happening after a delay.

FAQs

How can I use "took long enough" in a sentence?

You can use "took long enough" to express impatience or relief when something finally happens after a delay. For example, "The package arrived. It "took long enough"!"

What are some alternative ways to say "took long enough"?

Alternatives include "it was about time", "finally happened", or "it was long overdue" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "took long enough" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "took long enough" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "belatedly" or "eventually" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "took long enough" and "it's about time"?

Both phrases express that something should have happened sooner, but "took long enough" emphasizes the duration of the delay, while "it's about time" focuses on the appropriateness or necessity of the event finally occurring.