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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it takes him

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"it takes him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the amount of time it will take for someone to accomplish something, e.g. "It takes him an hour to finish his homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It takes him forever," Ljubicic said.

We'll see where it takes him.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It takes him ten more years to do that.

It takes him hours, if not a whole day.

News & Media

Independent

It takes him six months or less to build one.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It takes him a long time to get up.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It takes him 90 minutes to cover the nine miles.

News & Media

The New York Times

It takes him about a month to finish one piece.

News & Media

The New York Times

It takes him a few attempts to get on.

However long it takes him, he'll get his revenge".

Then it takes him a while to recover his thread.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of an activity, be specific with your units of time. For example, instead of just saying "it takes him long", specify "it takes him several hours".

Common error

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clear. Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what exactly "takes him" the time or effort. For example, instead of "It takes him", specify "The project takes him".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it takes him" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the duration, effort, or resources required for a male subject to complete a specific action or task. Ludwig AI's analysis, along with numerous examples, confirms its standard grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

24%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it takes him" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used expression to denote the time, effort, or resources a male subject needs for a specific task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is broadly accepted and appears across varied contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific publications. While it's versatile, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and units of time. Alternatives like "it requires him" or "he spends" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Using clear language and avoiding ambiguity will ensure your message is effectively communicated.

FAQs

How can I use "it takes him" in a sentence?

You can use "it takes him" to describe the amount of time, effort, or resources someone requires to complete a task. For example, "It takes him an hour to commute to work".

What are some alternatives to using "it takes him"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it requires him", "he needs", or "he spends".

Is "it takes him" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it takes him" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard subject-verb agreement and is widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "it takes him" and "it took him"?

"It takes him" refers to a present or habitual action, while "it took him" refers to an action that happened in the past. For example, "It takes him an hour to get ready every morning" (present), versus "It took him an hour to find his keys yesterday" (past).

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: