consume time

USAGE SUMMARY

"consume time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the length of time that something requires. For example, "Creating a detailed budget for our project will consume a great deal of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It will, at a minimum, consume time and attention revisiting ground that is already well plowed," he said.

The New York Times

There's so many other things that are worth doing than watching a movie or TV show just to consume time".

The Guardian - Film

But when it comes to looking for money, this approach can consume time and is unlikely to end happily.

The New York Times

Will accounting for natural capital drive meaningful change – or will it merely consume time and energy, occupy panelists at sustainability conferences and generate consulting fees?

The Guardian

"There are lots of things that will come to me and burden me and consume time without a legislative body," he said.

The New York Times

Moreover, negotiations – especially those "without precondition" as Mr. Obama has specifically advocated – consume time, another precious asset that terrorists and rogue leaders prize.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The practice, meant to increase confidence, also consumes time and tuition money.

The New York Times

The subject consumed time and energy, and every moment spent on matters other than the preparation of the Test team was time wasted.

The Guardian - Sport

My commute to the University of Southern California is an unholy 200 miles round-trip and it consumes time — four and a half hours — and fuel.

The New York Times

S = Number of correctly received bits Total consumed time (2).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The computation of weightsis iterative and it consumes time.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration or resources needed for a task, use "consume time" to clearly indicate that the task requires a significant investment of time.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "consume time" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "take up time" or "use time" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consume time" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of something using or taking up time. As noted by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Ludwig also indicates that it's used to describe the length of time something requires.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

52%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consume time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of something using or taking up time. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability in written English. While versatile, its usage is often best suited for formal and professional contexts. When you aim to precisely indicate how much a process requires time, this expression does an excellent job.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take up time

Emphasizes the action of occupying time.

use up time

Highlights the depletion of available time.

require time

Focuses on the necessity of time for a task.

devour time

Implies a large amount of time is used, with a stronger emphasis.

expend time

Formal way of expressing the investment of time.

fill time

Highlights how time is occupied with something.

occupy time

Focuses on the state of being busy.

allocate time

Refers to formally designating time for something.

invest time

Highlights the action of putting time into something.

monopolize time

Indicates exclusive and potentially excessive use of time.

FAQs

How can I use "consume time" in a sentence?

Use "consume time" to describe how long something takes or the amount of time an activity requires. For example, "The data analysis will "consume time", but it's necessary for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "consume time"?

You can use alternatives like "take up time", "use up time", or "require time" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "consume time" or "take time"?

Both phrases are correct, but "consume time" often implies a greater or more significant use of time than "take time". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "consume time" instead of simpler alternatives?

The phrase "consume time" is more appropriate in formal, academic, or business contexts where a precise and slightly elevated tone is desired. Simpler alternatives like "take time" are suitable for informal situations.