it needs time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something requires a certain amount of time to develop, complete, or improve. Example: "Learning a new language is challenging; it needs time to become fluent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It needs time to form its own democratic habits and establish the rule of law.

The Economist

Britain has said it will not start the formal two-year talks to leave the EU this year because it needs time to consider its position, but could do so next year.

The Guardian

But that suit looks as though it will soon be abandoned by Trump's Justice Department, which indicated in a motion this month that it needs time to rethink its position on the North Carolina law.

The New Yorker

The company has said it needs time to restate several years of its financial reports to reflect the loans.

The New York Times

Adelphia, which has been in turmoil since March when it disclosed $2.3 billion in loans to the Rigas family that were guaranteed by the company, has said it needs time to restate several years of its financial reports to reflect the loans.

The New York Times

The company has continually insisted it needs time to ensure the privacy and security of its customers, particularly against spammers -- people or advertisers that blast unsolicited messages to hundreds or thousands of recipients.

The New York Times

Rebuilding it needs time and patience.

The Economist

It needs time, for sure.

The Guardian - Sport

"It needs time to develop an aura".

The New York Times - Style

It needs time and dedication to make it work".

The Guardian - Music

There's nothing fast about this dish – it needs time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needs time", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "the project needs time" instead of just "it needs time" if the subject isn't immediately clear.

Common error

Avoid assuming that just providing time guarantees success; clearly define milestones and processes necessary during that timeframe. Saying "it needs time" is not a substitute for actively managing the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs time" functions as a statement indicating that a certain amount of time is required for something to develop, improve, or be completed. Ludwig confirms its widespread use and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it needs time" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey that something requires a period to develop, complete, or improve. As Ludwig underlines, this phrase appears frequently in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in wiki and scientific sources. While the phrase is versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. Alternatives such as "it requires time" or "it takes time" can be used to add nuance. Remember that simply stating "it needs time" does not guarantee success; active management and clearly defined milestones are still essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires time

Replaces 'needs' with 'requires', emphasizing necessity.

it takes time

Uses 'takes' instead of 'needs', focusing on the duration involved.

time is necessary

Changes the structure to emphasize the necessity of time.

patience is required

Focuses on the need for patience during a process.

it calls for patience

Emphasizes the need of patience in a situation.

it demands time

Uses 'demands' to highlight the urgency or importance of the time needed.

time is of the essence

Highlights that the temporal aspect is extremely important.

it will take a while

Indicates an indefinite but expected duration.

give it some time

Implies allowing sufficient time for something to develop or resolve.

it is a process

Focuses on the gradual nature of the development.

FAQs

How can I use "it needs time" in a sentence?

You can use "it needs time" to express that something requires a certain duration to develop, complete, or improve. For instance, "Learning a new language is challenging; "it needs time" to become fluent."

What are some alternatives to using "it needs time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it requires time", "it takes time", or "patience is required", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it needs time" and "it requires time"?

While both phrases are similar, "it needs time" is slightly more informal. "It requires time" suggests a more formal or necessary condition, whereas "it needs time" can be used in more casual contexts.

Is it incorrect to say "it needs more time"?

No, saying "it needs more time" is perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct. It simply emphasizes that the subject requires an extended duration compared to what was initially anticipated.