it took a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the requirement of a degree for a particular job, task, or achievement. Example: "To become a licensed architect, it took a degree in architecture and several years of experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It took a degree of strength and conviction.

The Guardian

Even so, it took a degree of political courage in the run-up to India's state and general elections.

The Economist

It took a degree of humility to ask what seemed the obvious question and confidence to approach senior doctors with our own literature search on the best way to manage a patient's unruly hypertension.

The New York Times - Health

Yes it took a degree of vision to start Sky, but he wasn't alone, he bought the other competitor instead of competing.

BBC

Sometimes, especially in our annual February demonstrations, in the almost perennial rain, snow and the slush, it took a degree of stubbornness to keep at it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The 1967 68 budget ran into deficit, allocating funds to energise the economic engine whilst Dunstan lambasted the Federal Government for neglecting the South Australian economy, demanding it take a degree of responsibility for its ills.

Wikipedia

It takes a degree, if not a further degree.

The Guardian

It may seem remarkable that such funds exist; it takes a degree of chutzpah to charge an actively-managed fee for copying another manager.

The Economist

I think it takes a degree of comic proficiency to understand and be able to explain quite how your comedy works.

The Guardian

As with his great mentor Arthur Schopenhauer, the gloomiest philosopher who ever lived, it takes a degree of heroic perversity to overlook every apparent flicker of human value.

The Guardian - Books

It takes a degree in jurisprudence to be a sports fan these days, particularly in the United States, which has a backlog of legal cases involving champions named Bonds and Clemens and Armstrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it took a degree", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific attribute or skill was necessary. For example, "It took a degree of patience to complete the intricate puzzle."

Common error

Avoid using "it took a degree" when referring to physical measurements (like temperature). Use it specifically for abstract qualities, such as "It took a degree of courage" not "It took a degree of heat".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took a degree" functions as a clause starter, emphasizing that a particular level or amount of a quality, skill, or attribute was necessary for a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. For example, "It took a degree of strength and conviction."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took a degree" is used to emphasize that a specific level or amount of a quality, skill, or attribute was essential for achieving a particular outcome. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various types of communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the specific quality being emphasized and avoid applying it to physical measurements. Related alternatives include "it demanded a degree of" and "it necessitated a degree of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it called for a degree of

Highlights the necessary qualities to handle the situation

it demanded a degree of

Focuses on the requirement or necessity of a specific quality or attribute.

it needed a degree of

Highlights the needing to fulfill a standard to achieve something

it necessitated a degree of

Highlights that something was essential or unavoidable.

a certain level was required

Emphasizes a requirement rather than an action to achieve it.

it involved a certain measure of

Highlights the extent or amount of something.

a level of was necessary

Highlights that a certain level of something was inevitable to happen

a degree of was essential

Focuses on the essential nature of a quality or characteristic.

it presupposed a degree of

Focuses on the presumption of some qualities to do an action.

it assumed a degree of

Highlights the acceptance of something before an action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it took a degree of"?

Alternatives include "it required a degree of", "it demanded a degree of", or "it necessitated a degree of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what context is it appropriate to use "it took a degree of"?

This phrase is suitable when emphasizing that a certain level or amount of an abstract quality (e.g., patience, courage, skill) was necessary to achieve something or deal with a situation.

Is there a difference between "it took a degree of" and "it takes a degree of"?

Yes, "it took a degree of" refers to something that happened in the past, while "it takes a degree of" refers to something that is generally required or is happening in the present or future.

Can I use "it took a degree of" to describe effort?

While you could imply effort, it's more accurate to specify what kind of effort was required, such as "it took a degree of persistent effort" or "it required considerable effort".