has taken time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has taken time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process that has been ongoing or a task that has been completed over a period of time. For example, "Preparing for the exam has taken time, but I am confident that I am ready."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This has taken time.

The Guardian - Music

Creating a system has taken time.

The New York Times

All of that has taken time.

The Guardian

"It has taken time for people to trust us".

The Guardian - Arts

"It has taken time, but this law is working.

The Guardian

It has taken time for Cheshire's mojo to return, however.

The Guardian - Sport

It has taken time to establish that reputation, however.

The Guardian - Music

"The smartphone has replaced the television--it has taken time away from living our lives.

The New York Times

The law in North Carolina was passed in 2013 but has taken time to be enacted.

Independent

But the chill between YouTube and Hollywood has taken time to ease.

The New York Times - Tech

It has taken time for Lin and Harden to develop chemistry, Rockets forward Chandler Parsons said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has taken time" to emphasize that something required a significant duration to achieve, especially when contrasting it with expectations of immediacy.

Common error

Avoid using "has taken time" without explaining why the process was lengthy. Provide context about the complexities or challenges involved to give the statement more weight and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has taken time" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a process or action required a certain duration to complete. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sport

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Arts

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has taken time" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that a process or action required a certain amount of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for use in news, sports, arts, and even scientific writing. While seemingly straightforward, it's important to provide context when using this phrase, as it implies a non-negligible duration and potentially challenges or complexities that necessitated the time investment. Consider alternatives like "needed some time" or "required a period" to nuance your expression, but remember that "has taken time" is a reliable and common choice. Also make sure not to confuse it with the ungrammatical "has took time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needed some time

Emphasizes the necessity and duration, although in a slightly less formal way.

required a period

Focuses on the necessity of a time span.

was not immediate

Points out that the action or result did not happen instantly.

involved a lengthy process

Highlights the complexity and duration of a process.

occurred over a duration

Emphasizes the event's unfolding across a specific time frame.

evolved over time

Highlights the transformation and change occurring during the time spent.

was a gradual development

Indicates a slow and progressive evolution over time.

unfolded gradually

Emphasizes the gradual and progressive manner.

progressed slowly

Highlights the lack of speed

necessitated patience

Indicates the requirement of enduring a waiting period.

FAQs

How can I use "has taken time" in a sentence?

The phrase "has taken time" is used to express that a process, task, or development required a significant amount of time to complete or occur. For example, "Building trust with the community "has taken time", but it's now stronger than ever."

What are some alternatives to "has taken time"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "needed some time", "required a period", or "was a gradual development".

Is it correct to say "has took time" instead of "has taken time"?

No, "has took time" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "take" is "taken", so the correct phrase is ""has taken time"".

What's the difference between "has taken time" and "took time"?

"Has taken time" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. "Took time" is in the simple past tense, indicating an action that was completed in the past and may not have a direct connection to the present.