it often takes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it often takes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something frequently requires a certain amount of time, effort, or resources to achieve a result. Example: "In order to master a new language, it often takes years of practice and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It often takes about three years.

The Guardian

It often takes a year for a lender to foreclose.

The New York Times

It often takes years for me to write a story.

The New Yorker

It often takes an outsider to look inside.

The Guardian - Books

To get inside, it often takes an appointment.

The New York Times - Sports

It often takes poets a long time to unlearn this.

The New York Times - Books

And it often takes years before a claim is approved.

The New York Times

"It often takes more than an hour before we're back.

The Guardian

It often takes time for people to let go of hurt, anger, and sadness.

University of California, Berkeley

IT often takes the moral outrage of a writer to effect social change.

The New York Times

But it often takes presidential candidates a while to hone their closing arguments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it often takes", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, instead of "It often takes a long time", specify: "Learning a new language often takes a long time".

Common error

Avoid assuming that because "it often takes" a certain amount of time or effort, the outcome is guaranteed. While frequent, "often" does not imply certainty; be clear about potential variations or exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it often takes" functions as an introductory expression indicating the typical requirements or duration associated with a process or activity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it often takes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating typical requirements or durations. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While versatile, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, though formal alternatives may be preferred in specific academic or professional settings. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what "it" refers to and acknowledging that "often" does not guarantee certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it usually requires

Emphasizes typical necessity, swapping "often takes" for "usually requires".

it frequently demands

Replaces "often takes" with "frequently demands", highlighting the need for something.

it commonly necessitates

Substitutes "often takes" with "commonly necessitates", indicating a typical condition.

it generally entails

Uses "generally entails" instead of "often takes", focusing on what is involved.

it typically calls for

Replaces "often takes" with "typically calls for", pointing out the usual requirements.

it sometimes needs

Changes "often takes" to "sometimes needs", reducing the frequency.

it invariably involves

Substitutes "often takes" with "invariably involves", suggesting certainty.

it regularly consumes

Uses "regularly consumes" instead of "often takes", emphasizing resources used.

it habitually necessitates

Replaces "often takes" with "habitually necessitates", denoting a habitual requirement.

it virtually requires

Changes "often takes" to "virtually requires", underscoring near-certainty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it often takes" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "it typically requires", "it frequently demands", or "it generally entails". These options provide a more sophisticated and professional feel.

What does "it often takes" imply about the certainty of an outcome?

While "it often takes" indicates a common or frequent occurrence, it does not guarantee the outcome. The word "often" suggests that there may be exceptions or variations. Thus, consider adding qualifiers to clarify the degree of certainty.

Is it correct to use "it often takes" in academic writing?

Yes, "it often takes" is grammatically correct and can be used in academic writing. However, ensure the context is appropriate and that the statement is supported by evidence or data. More formal alternatives might be preferable in some contexts.

What are some common things that "it often takes"?

Common things that "it often takes" include time, effort, patience, and resources. For example, "it often takes years to master a new skill" or "it often takes considerable effort to achieve a goal".