it takes hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"it takes hours" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that requires a lot of time and effort to do, such as, "It takes hours of practice to master a new skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now it takes hours.

The New York Times

It takes hours and hours.

The New York Times

"It takes hours; we filled bags with stuff.

The New York Times - Style

"We count a lot of things, and it takes hours and hours to count things".

The New York Times

This is a machine so large it takes hours to jog around.

The Guardian

It takes hours of effort and deep thought to assemble anything that other people find entertaining.

The New York Times - Arts

"With many of those people, it takes hours to get credit information," he said.

The New York Times

It takes hours to drive from to one to the next.

The Guardian

Even if it takes hours, do not stop listing names until they turn toward you.

The New Yorker

"It takes hours to produce each instrument," Nuovo says, declining to be more specific than that.

The New York Times - Magazine

It takes hours to make each postcard, hours that invite reflection.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. While "it takes hours" is common, using alternatives like "it requires considerable time" or "it's a time-consuming process" can enhance your writing and prevent repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "it takes hours" without specifying what "it" refers to. For example, instead of just saying "it takes hours", clarify by stating "completing the report takes hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it takes hours" functions as a statement of duration, indicating the amount of time required to complete a task or process. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it takes hours" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe tasks or processes that require a significant amount of time. According to Ludwig, this phrase sees frequent usage in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across different registers. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly defines what activity "it" refers to, avoiding overgeneralization. While common, diversifying your language with alternatives like "it requires considerable time" can enhance your writing style. Remember to specify the activity for clarity and to avoid exaggerating the time needed. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "it takes hours" and its alternatives in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires a considerable time

Emphasizes the amount of time needed.

it demands a lot of time

Highlights the necessity of dedicating time to something.

it is a time-consuming process

Focuses on the process being lengthy.

it involves many hours

Specifies that multiple hours are part of the task.

it necessitates extended effort

Stresses the effort required over a long period.

it consumes significant time

Highlights the time being used up.

it takes a long while

Uses a more informal expression for a long duration.

it calls for substantial time

Indicates a need for a large amount of time.

it stretches into several hours

Highlights the task extending over multiple hours.

it's a lengthy undertaking

Focuses on the undertaking being long and complex.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it requires a significant amount of time" or "it necessitates several hours of effort". These alternatives add a level of professionalism suitable for academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "it takes hours" and "it takes days"?

"It takes hours" indicates a task requires multiple hours to complete, while "it takes days" implies a much longer duration. The choice depends on the actual timeframe needed for the activity.

Is "it takes hours" an exaggeration?

Whether "it takes hours" is an exaggeration depends on the context. If the task genuinely requires a considerable amount of time, then it's accurate. However, using it for tasks that take only minutes would be an overstatement.

What can I say instead of "it takes hours" to describe a quick task?

If a task is quick, use phrases like "it takes minutes", "it's a matter of moments", or "it's a quick process". These accurately convey the short duration involved.