it can takes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it can takes' is not correct and is not used in written English.
We would use the phrase 'it can take' instead. For example: "It can take a long time to complete this task."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it can takes weeks to sort out, and the payment has not kept pace with inflation, so most of the time there remains a significant shortfall.

The Guardian - Money

But no matter what the investment, environmental consciousness can be a tough sell in a bad economy, especially when it can takes years to recoup the initial cost for some projects.

The New York Times - Science

The union has claimed that as many as one in four teachers has faced a false allegation - and says that it can takes months to resolve.

BBC

It can takes years to resolve the behavioral issues of an abused horse; you should seek the advice of a qualified trainer to keep yourself safe.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It can take its toll on you.

The Guardian - Music

It can take hours.

Independent

But it can take longer.

The New York Times

It can take various forms.

The New York Times

Where it can take you".

The New Yorker

It can take a second.

Independent

It can take it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after 'can'. The correct phrase is "it can take", not "it can takes".

Common error

Avoid using the third-person singular form of a verb (e.g., 'takes') after modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'might', etc. Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can takes" is intended to express the potential or possibility of something occurring or being done by something, but it fails to do so due to a grammatical error. Ludwig identifies that "it can takes" is incorrect and should be replaced with the grammatically correct "it can take".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it can takes" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "it can take". As Ludwig AI indicates, modal verbs like 'can' should always be followed by the base form of the verb. Though examples of the incorrect phrase exist, primarily in news and media contexts, they are infrequent and should be avoided in formal writing. Accurate alternatives include "it can take", "it might take", and "it could take", ensuring clarity and grammatical correctness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can take

Corrects the grammatical error by using the base form of the verb 'take'.

it might take

Replaces 'can' with 'might', suggesting possibility and correcting the grammar.

it could take

Uses 'could' instead of 'can', indicating a potential outcome with correct grammar.

it may take

Substitutes 'can' with 'may', implying a possibility and grammatical correctness.

it is able to take

Rephrases using 'is able to', maintaining the sense of ability and fixing the grammar.

it will be able to take

Expresses future ability with correct grammar.

it is going to take

Uses the 'going to' future form, correcting the grammatical error.

it is expected to take

Indicates an expectation or prediction with grammatically sound structure.

it is likely to take

Emphasizes the probability of something happening, while correcting the original grammar.

it is probable that it will take

Elaborates on the likelihood, employing a more formal and grammatically correct structure.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "it can take" in a sentence?

Use "it can take" followed by a duration or object. For example, "It can take several hours to complete the project" or "It can take a lot of effort".

What can I say instead of the incorrect phrase "it can takes"?

The correct alternative is "it can take". Remember to use the base form of the verb after "can".

How does the meaning change if I use "it could take" instead of "it can take"?

"It can take" suggests a general possibility, whereas "it could take" implies a conditional or less certain possibility.

Is there a difference between saying "it can take" and "it is able to take"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "it is able to take" often implies a specific capability or capacity, whereas "it can take" is more general.