a little time consuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little time consuming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that some task is taking longer than usual, and is therefore taking up a lot of time. For example, "The website design process was a little time consuming, but the outcome was worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Navigating all that content can be a little time consuming.

TechCrunch

However, creating these professional-looking images, for editorial or marketing purposes, can be a little time consuming and more difficult than need be.

TechCrunch

Make sure to start making this delectable treat one day in advance, they are a little time consuming.

Huffington Post

It's fun, festive and super easy to make! Red, White & Blue Wreath Yes, adding a lot of cupcake wrappers to a wreath is a little time consuming, but it isn't difficult.

Huffington Post

It's a little time consuming as a move.

WikiHow

This could be a little time consuming and to be perfectly honest, not a lucky solution.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"You've got to convince the banks…It is a little time-consuming".Fear and loafingIndia's banks are flush with cash, but they are also cautious, fearing a rise in the non-performing loans that crippled them in the 1990s.

The Economist

She had to make two trips to each of 14 restaurants each month, which was "a little time-consuming," she said, but it was easy and the money was decent.

The New York Times

Afterward, the "pizza profile" creation process was fairly straightforward, if a little time-consuming.

TechCrunch

It's a little time-consuming at first, but it's a breeze compared to any other research study.

Huffington Post

Therefore, running the algorithm on a single machine is a little time-consuming, but the computation time can be reduced by parallelization.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse. While the phrase is acceptable, using varied vocabulary can make your writing more engaging. Consider alternatives like "somewhat lengthy" or "takes a while" when appropriate.

Common error

Be mindful of the nuance of "a little time consuming". It suggests a minor inconvenience, not a significant obstacle. For tasks that are substantially time-intensive, consider stronger phrasing like "very time consuming" or "extremely lengthy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little time consuming" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that requires a degree of time and effort. Examples on Ludwig show it qualifying tasks, moves, and processes. The Ludwig AI confirms its valid use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little time consuming" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable phrase used to describe tasks or activities that require a bit more time than desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage. While not overly formal, it fits well within neutral contexts such as news articles, blogs, and general writing, as suggested by Ludwig's examples. Consider varied phrasing to avoid repetition. Knowing when to use "a little" versus stronger terms like "very" is key to accurately conveying the degree of time commitment involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Involves a bit of time

Directly states that some time is necessary, without specifying the amount.

Somewhat lengthy

Implies the activity takes a considerable amount of time, focusing on the duration.

Not exactly quick

Understates the time required, implying it's longer than expected.

Takes a while

A more informal way of saying something requires a noticeable amount of time.

Relatively slow

Highlights the pace of the activity, implying it's not quick.

Moderately protracted

Suggests an extended duration, with a more formal tone.

Somewhat drawn out

Suggests the activity is prolonged and possibly unnecessarily so.

Slightly laborious

Emphasizes the effort involved due to the time commitment.

A tad tedious

Suggests that the activity is boring due to the time needed to complete it.

Requires some patience

Highlights the need for patience due to the time involved.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a little time consuming"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat lengthy", "takes a while", or "involves a bit of time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little time consuming"?

Yes, "a little time consuming" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe tasks or activities that take more time than desired, but are not excessively long. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What does "a little time consuming" mean?

It means that something requires a bit more time or effort than one might expect or prefer. It implies a slight inconvenience, not a major undertaking.

How can I use "a little time consuming" in a sentence?

You might say, "The initial setup was "a little time consuming", but the software is now running smoothly", indicating that while the setup took some time, it was manageable.