be time-consuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be time-consuming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or task that requires a significant amount of time to complete. Example: "Preparing the annual report can be time-consuming, but it is essential for our planning process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Petitioning can be time-consuming and difficult.

The New York Times

Walking, especially, can be time-consuming.

The Guardian - Film

That will be "time-consuming" and "expensive", he said.

The Guardian

Such sound-picture editing work can be time-consuming.

The New Yorker

But refilling its cylinders can be time-consuming.

The New York Times - Food

The system may be time-consuming and money-grubbing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Getting around It can be time consuming.

Independent

Being thrifty can be time consuming.

The Guardian

The due diligence process can be time consuming.

The Guardian

However, working out precise entitlements will be time consuming.

The Guardian

The creation of this domain model can be time consuming.

Smart Learning Environments

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, clearly quantify the time commitment if possible. Instead of saying "the project will be time-consuming", try "the project will require approximately 40 hours of focused work".

Common error

While "be time-consuming" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal writing where simpler alternatives like "take a lot of time" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be time-consuming" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something that requires a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be time-consuming" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that describes tasks or activities that require a significant amount of time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in English. While versatile across contexts, it appears most frequently in scientific and news-related content. When employing the phrase, ensure the temporal commitment is clear and consider the audience to avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "take up a lot of time" or "require considerable time" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take up a lot of time

Focuses on the amount of time required, emphasizing the duration.

require considerable time

Highlights the substantial amount of time needed.

be a lengthy process

Specifies that the process takes a considerable amount of time.

be a drawn-out process

Stresses the extended and often tedious nature of the process.

prove lengthy

Highlights the extended duration of the task.

involve a significant time investment

Focuses on the time spent as an investment.

demand a lot of effort

Shifts the emphasis from time to the effort involved.

eat into one's schedule

Highlights how the activity encroaches on one's planned schedule.

devour one's time

Emphasizes the extent to which the activity consumes available time.

be a protracted affair

Indicates a task that is unnecessarily long or drawn out.

FAQs

How can I use "be time-consuming" in a sentence?

You can use "be time-consuming" to describe an activity or task that requires a significant amount of time to complete. For example, "Data analysis can "be time-consuming", but it provides valuable insights."

What can I say instead of "be time-consuming"?

You can use alternatives like "take up a lot of time", "require considerable time", or "demand a lot of effort" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be time-consuming" or "take a lot of time"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Be time-consuming" sounds slightly more formal, while "take a lot of time" is more informal.

What's the difference between "be time-consuming" and "be labor-intensive"?

"Be time-consuming" refers specifically to the amount of time required for a task, while "be labor-intensive" refers to the amount of physical or mental effort required. A task can be time-consuming without being labor-intensive, and vice versa.