it took a sequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took a sequence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a process or event that required a series of steps or actions to achieve a result. Example: "To solve the complex puzzle, it took a sequence of logical deductions and careful planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It took a sequence of judicial battles to make this happen.

Independent

Even then it took a sequence of sublime skill for Arsenal to find a way through - Matteo Guendouzi finding Aubameyang with a well-judged cross-field pass, the striker touching it away from his man and turning to cross and Torreira applying a sumptuous finish.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The incoming Barclays CEO, Antony Jenkins, has signalled he does not want his bank to be in socially useless or reputation-threatening lines of investment banking, but it took a shattering sequence of debacle, fines and embarrassments to convert the board to his cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

That run hardly inspires confidence and while their run-in doesn't look to be too demanding, Sunderland won't want a repeat of last season when it took a miraculous sequence of results to stay up.

BBC

Back then, it took a decade to sequence the human genome and geneticists could store their data on an Excel spreadsheet.

BBC

And it took a year of us playing a sequence of singles for people to jump on to them - a lot of people think Rather Be was their first single but actually it was their fourth that we playlisted on Radio 1".

The Guardian

It takes a universal sequence that has not been horizontally transferred and has evolved at a steady rate to build a universal tree.

Biology Direct

It takes a length N sequence, and generates an output sequence of length N using a set of lowpass and highpass fiters followed by a decimator.

BMC Genomics

It takes a rapid-fire sequence of play-stopping injuries to illuminate what seems obvious to others: An aging body demands accommodation.

The Washington Post

It takes a set of sequences to be masked, and a set of vectors/adapters used to perform masking), EMBOSS (getorf finds and extracts open reading frames), and InterProScan (a protein domains identifier).

DNA Research

Once a Djinni on Standby has been used for a Summon Sequence, it takes a number of turns recovering before it restores itself to Set position on a character, but a subsequent increase in the affinity of the element of the attack is bolstered on the character for the duration of the battle.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took a sequence" to emphasize that the outcome was not achieved through a single action, but rather through a series of interconnected steps. This can add depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it took a sequence" too frequently in your writing. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases like "a series of" or "a chain of" to prevent your writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took a sequence" functions as a clause element, typically introducing an explanation of how something was achieved or what was necessary to reach a certain outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Sport

6%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took a sequence" is a grammatically sound and useful way to describe events or processes that require multiple steps to achieve a specific outcome. Ludwig AI analysis and examples from reliable sources confirm its correctness and common usage. While the phrase is more frequent in News & Media and Science contexts, remember not to overuse it in your writing and consider using alternatives like "a series of" or "a chain of events" to diversify your sentence structure. Keep in mind the context of your writing and the specific message you want to convey when deciding to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of steps was required

Emphasizes the stepwise nature of the process.

a chain of events unfolded

Highlights the interconnectedness of the events.

a succession of actions ensued

Focuses on the consecutive nature of the actions.

a set of procedures was necessary

Highlights the need for established protocols.

a string of occurrences transpired

Emphasizes the chronological unfolding of events.

a course of action was implemented

Stresses the planned and deliberate nature of the process.

a line of reasoning was followed

Highlights the logical progression of thought.

a train of thought ensued

Focuses on the flowing nature of the argument.

a particular order of things happened

Emphasizes the importance of the specific arrangement.

an order of operations was needed

Stresses that the specific arrangement was mathematically inclined.

FAQs

How can I use "it took a sequence" in a sentence?

Use "it took a sequence" to describe a situation where a series of events or actions were necessary to achieve a specific result. For example, "It took a sequence of judicial battles to make this happen."

What phrases are similar to "it took a sequence"?

You can use alternatives such as "a series of", "a chain of events", or "a succession of actions" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it took a sequence of"?

Yes, "it took a sequence of" is grammatically correct. It indicates that multiple steps or events were required.

When is it appropriate to use "it took a sequence"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that the achievement of something involved multiple steps or events that occurred in a particular order. It's useful when the order of those steps is somehow important for the outcome.