it requires a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it requires a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something takes time to complete or achieve. Example: "The project is complex, and it requires a while to gather all the necessary data before we can proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Photovoltaic solar is a little more costly because it requires an inverter, while some kits use batteries to store and regulate the flow of energy generated.

The Guardian

Harris's style is a curious blend of contemporary idiom (Pompey and Crassus are said to stand for election "on a joint ticket") with Latin vocabulary so precise it requires a separate glossary; while the modern language may jar with historical purists, the research underpinning it is so meticulous that the reader feels wholly absorbed into Cicero's world, and this is Harris's real achievement.

The Guardian - Books

It requires a precise regulation while maintaining the cellular homeostasis [ 23].

Critical Care

Respondent: Of course we know, but it requires a permanent address here while all of us are migrants.

Globalization and Health

It requires a limited set of data while improves the fault tolerance of the network.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

While it requires a strong government to pass regulations from the top, it also can't work without a strong, independent civil society acting as a watchdog, spotlighting polluters and suing businesses that do not comply.

The New York Times

TurboTax uses an interview format to walk filers through the process, and while it requires a bit of patience, the program uses the answers to fill out the proper forms and schedules and does all the calculations.

The New York Times

The one pure art package, uDraw Studio, is indeed, as Steve suggested, more powerful than it looks; and, while it requires a great amount of practice to perfect, even if you can face the time investment, the rewards are only moderate and by their nature – even with the SD card option to save them – fleeting.

The Guardian - Tech

While it requires a membership to the MoMA first, the additional $100 to support PS1 includes "conversations with MoMA PS1 curators and artists, private receptions, four free admission tickets to "Warm Up," which is the collective's summer Saturday's experimental music series.

The New York Times

And while it requires a subscription, the app itself is a free download.

TechCrunch

While it requires a MASSIVE amount of computing power to verify, confirm, and record every transaction that occurs within the network, it's basically a self-funding system.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it requires a while" to manage expectations when describing a process or task. Setting realistic timeframes avoids unnecessary pressure and disappointment.

Common error

Avoid underestimating the 'while' in "it requires a while". Be realistic and provide a sense of the actual timeframe involved, even if approximate, to give a more helpful description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it requires a while" functions as a statement indicating that a process or task necessitates a certain duration of time to be completed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it requires a while" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to convey that a task or process necessitates a certain amount of time to complete. According to Ludwig, it serves to manage expectations and indicates that some patience may be necessary. While generally neutral in tone, more formal contexts may benefit from alternative phrasings. Due to its rare usage, as identified by Ludwig, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase. Related alternatives include "it takes time" and "it needs time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It takes time

Direct replacement focusing on the time needed.

It needs time

Similar to "it takes time", emphasizing the necessity of time.

It necessitates a period of time

More formal way of saying it needs time, implying a required duration.

It demands time

Emphasizes the insistence of needing time for something.

It involves a considerable amount of time

Stresses the substantial duration involved.

It calls for patience

Highlights the need for patience due to the time involved.

It is a lengthy process

Focuses on the duration of the activity or process.

It is a time-consuming task

Highlights the characteristic of consuming much time.

It's not an immediate process

Highlights that a process won't produce results quickly.

It will be some time before

Specifies that an event will occur after a certain duration.

FAQs

What does "it requires a while" mean?

The phrase "it requires a while" means that a certain amount of time is needed to complete a task, process, or achieve a particular outcome. It suggests that the process is not immediate and will take some time.

How can I use "it requires a while" in a sentence?

You can use "it requires a while" to explain that something needs time to be completed. For example: "Learning a new language "it requires a while" and consistent effort."

What are some alternatives to "it requires a while"?

Some alternatives to "it requires a while" include "it takes time", "it needs time", or "it is a lengthy process".

Is "it requires a while" formal or informal?

"It requires a while" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "it necessitates a period of time".