it normally took

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it normally took" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the typical duration or time required for a particular task or event in the past. Example: "In the past, it normally took us about two hours to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It normally took one week," she said.

The New York Times

It normally took King fifteen hours to write a sermon.

The New Yorker

Mahdi al-Hafidh, Iraq's minister of planning, said it normally took two years to conduct a census.

The New York Times

Without using Daqri's AR helmet it normally took a novice employee (someone just learning the task) 480 minutes to complete their first assembly.

TechCrunch

Greeneville, moreover, was still low in the water because it normally took 30 minutes to pump out the remaining water in the ballast tanks after an emergency blow.

Wikipedia

They also spend time pondering why, on the day of the bombing, the No. 30 bus went on a different route to the one it normally took.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When it works, it normally takes a couple of days.

The Economist

It normally takes a few months before they can move into temporary government housing.

The New York Times

It normally takes months for interest-rate changes to affect spending.

The Economist

It normally takes two years to earn an MBA at an American school.

The Economist

It normally takes two days or longer to release an incoming shipment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it normally took", ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe being referenced. Providing specific examples or comparisons can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it normally takes" when referring to a specific past event. The past tense form, "it normally took", is appropriate for describing habitual actions or processes in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it normally took" functions as an introductory clause, setting the stage for describing the usual duration or effort involved in a past event or activity. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is used to convey typicality or expectation concerning a time period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it normally took" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the usual duration of an event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from reliable sources. It functions as an introductory clause, offering context and baseline expectations. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is versatile enough for neutral writing contexts, especially in news reporting. To ensure clarity, provide specific examples, and avoid confusion with the present tense form, "it normally takes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it usually took

Replaces "normally" with "usually", indicating a common occurrence.

it typically took

Substitutes "normally" with "typically", suggesting a characteristic pattern.

it generally took

Replaces "normally" with "generally", emphasizing a widespread trend.

it customarily took

Substitutes "normally" with "customarily", implying an established tradition or habit.

it often took

Replaces "normally" with "often", indicating a frequent occurrence but not necessarily the standard.

the process usually required

Restructures the sentence to focus on the process and its typical requirement.

the standard duration was

Shifts the focus to the expected length of time for something.

the common timeframe was

Highlights the typical timeframe for an event or task.

it was standard practice to take

Indicates that taking a certain amount of time was the expected procedure.

the expected time was

Focuses on the anticipation of a particular duration.

FAQs

How can I use "it normally took" in a sentence?

Use "it normally took" to describe the typical duration of an event or process in the past. For instance, "Before the new system, "it normally took" two weeks to process the paperwork."

What is a more formal alternative to "it normally took"?

In formal writing, you could use "the standard duration was" or "it generally required" instead of "it normally took".

What is the difference between "it normally takes" and "it normally took"?

"It normally takes" describes a present or ongoing habit, while "it normally took" describes a past habit. For example, "It normally takes 30 minutes to commute to work" (present), versus ""it normally took" 45 minutes before the highway was expanded" (past).

Is "it normally took" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it normally took" is grammatically correct when used to describe a typical action or duration in the past.