wait for ages

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait for ages" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have to wait a long time for something. Example sentence: I had to wait for ages before I finally got a response from customer service.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Actually, "wait for ages" couldn't be further from the truth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Patients needing operations such as cataract removals no longer have to wait for ages.

The Economist

Is it like buses, you wait for ages then two shows come along at once?

The Guardian - Arts

You wait for ages for a Pakistani bus driver's son to come along.

The Guardian

"Sometimes you have to wait for ages in a McDonald's, but this seems to have cut the queues down".

The Guardian - Business

You wait for ages for an edible bus stop to come along and then three turn up at once.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Because the risk of shingles rises with age, and so do the severity of the symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends the vaccine, Zostavax, only for those over age 60. "I have wondered, why wait for age 60 to get the vaccine?" commented Eric from Sacramento.

The New York Times

So they'll stand waiting for ages while you drink coffee, desperately trying to urinate again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You aren't, I hope, starving and no, you haven't been waiting for ages for your food.

The Guardian - Opinion

Q: We've had an email from someone who applied, and was then kept waiting for ages.

The Guardian

I was waiting for ages for Bose to bring out noise-cancelling in-ear headphones, rather than the great big things.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait for ages" to express frustration or mild annoyance at having to wait a considerable amount of time. It's suitable for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "wait for ages" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise language such as 'wait for a prolonged period' or 'experience a significant delay'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for ages" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a prolonged period of waiting. This is supported by Ludwig's confirmation of its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wait for ages" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to express a long waiting period. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English, primarily in informal contexts. While frequently found in news media, its idiomatic nature suggests it's best suited for casual conversation and less formal writing. When precision is required, more formal alternatives such as "wait a long time" or "experience a significant delay" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a long time

More literal and less idiomatic than "wait for ages".

wait an eternity

Emphasizes the perceived length of the wait more strongly.

wait forever

Similar to 'wait an eternity' in expressing a very long wait.

be kept waiting

Focuses on the act of being made to wait, often by someone else.

cool your heels

An older, more formal idiom for waiting patiently.

mark time

Emphasizes inactivity during the waiting period.

hold your horses

Indicates a need to pause or delay an action.

kick your heels

Suggests boredom or restlessness while waiting.

bide your time

Implies waiting strategically for an opportune moment.

hang fire

To delay or postpone something, often temporarily.

FAQs

What does "wait for ages" mean?

The phrase "wait for ages" means to wait for a very long time. It's often used to express impatience or mild annoyance about the duration of the wait.

When is it appropriate to use "wait for ages" in writing?

It's best to use "wait for ages" in informal writing or conversation. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "wait a long time" or "experience a significant delay".

What are some alternatives to "wait for ages"?

Some alternatives to "wait for ages" include "wait a long time", "wait an eternity", "wait forever", or "be kept waiting". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "waiting for ages" grammatically correct?

Yes, "waiting for ages" is grammatically correct. It is a continuous form of the verb phrase and is often used to emphasize the ongoing nature of the waiting period.