it takes an average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it takes an average" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the typical amount of time, effort, or resources required for a particular task or process. Example: "In our study, it takes an average of three hours to complete the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It takes an average of 15 months to find work.

The Economist

After graduation it takes an average of 11 months to find a first job.

The Economist

(It takes an average of 2.1 children per woman to keep the population from shrinking).

The New York Times

It takes an average of 21 days to clear import cargo in India; in Singapore it takes three.

The Economist

It takes an average of 858 days to complete a foreclosure in Florida, more than twice the national average.

The New York Times

It takes an average of seven years to cultivate a blueberry bush from cutting to bearing fruit.

The New York Times

When multitapping without any extra help, it takes an average of 2.2 taps per letter, Eatoni says.

The New York Times - Tech

It takes an average of eight-and-a-half years for a woman to be properly diagnosed with the condition.

The Guardian

The study shows that it takes an average of 45 days to register a new firm in Germany, compared with 18 in Britain and only four in America.

The Economist

Those, like Leaf, who have faced cancer have good reason for their impatience: it takes an average of thirteen years to bring a new cancer drug to market.

The New Yorker

One of India's worst problems is getting contracts enforced: it takes an average of 1,420 days to settle a court case.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it takes an average" to provide a general expectation, but acknowledge that individual cases may vary significantly from the average.

Common error

A common mistake is to say "it takes an average" without specifying what is being measured (e.g., time, resources). Always include the unit to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it takes an average" functions as an introductory expression to indicate a typical or expected value, duration, or quantity. Ludwig examples show it frequently precedes a duration of time or a quantity of resources required for a given task or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it takes an average" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a typical quantity, duration, or effort. Ludwig's analysis reveals it's most common in News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility across different registers. It's crucial to specify units of measurement when using this phrase to ensure clarity. The phrase serves to provide a general expectation or benchmark, allowing for context and comparison in discussions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on average, it requires

This alternative uses "on average" to specify that it's a typical requirement, similar to the original phrase.

typically, it needs

This option employs "typically" to indicate a usual need, akin to stating an average.

the average time is

This phrase directly states the average duration, offering a clear and concise alternative.

the mean duration is

Using "mean duration" provides a statistically accurate synonym for average time.

in general, it needs

This alternative uses "in general" to indicate a common need or requirement, similar to an average.

a typical timeframe is

This option refers to a typical timeframe, focusing on the duration aspect of the average.

the usual period is

Using "usual period" highlights the common or expected duration, similar to specifying an average.

it generally takes

This alternative uses "generally" to express a common or typical duration, akin to an average.

ordinarily, it requires

This option employs "ordinarily" to indicate a typical requirement, similar to stating an average.

as a rule, it needs

This alternative indicates a standard need, similar to stating an average.

FAQs

How can I use "it takes an average" in a sentence?

You can use "it takes an average" to describe the typical amount of time, effort, or resources needed for something. For example, "It takes an average of 12 years to develop a new drug".

What phrases are similar to "it takes an average"?

Similar phrases include "on average, it requires", "typically, it needs", or "the average time is". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "average" or "mean" with "it takes"?

Both "average" and "mean" can be used, but "average" is more common in general language. "Mean" is more statistically precise. Therefore, "It takes an average of..." is generally preferred unless technical precision is required.

Can I use "it takes an average" for things other than time?

Yes, you can use "it takes an average" to describe typical amounts of effort, resources, or any quantifiable metric. For example, "It takes an average of 3.2 forced laborers to produce the average smartphone."