quite a long time
fixed phr..fixed phr.. a period of time that is longer than you expected or longer than usual.
fixed phr.. a noun phrase used to emphasize a significant duration; the quantifier 'quite' functions as a submodifier to intensify the length of time.
I haven't seen my brother for quite a long time.
It took quite a long time to finish the project because we had so many problems.
Although the negotiations appeared to be moving quickly, it actually took quite a long time before both parties reached a final agreement.
the word 'quite' must come before the indefinite article 'a'.
point out the word order 'quite a' vs 'a very'; learners often try to say 'a quite long time' which is less natural in this context.
a quite long timequite a long timethe determiner 'quite' must precede the article 'a' in this fixed construction.