it took a somewhat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took a somewhat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the duration or effort required for a particular task or event, often implying that it was more than expected. Example: "It took a somewhat longer time than anticipated to complete the project due to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It took a small but well-prepared army to protect the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and it took a somewhat larger army to clear most of the roads and most of the train tracks leading toward the tennis center near the brackish waters of Flushing Bay.

The New York Times - Sports

It took a somewhat different spin on the question of following your passion in college -- or in life.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It takes a somewhat more sanguine view of the old agenda, arguing that the transatlantic partners have now done enough and can turn their attention to other matters.

The Economist

And it takes a somewhat different tack: T.A.P. aims to reduce the troubling behaviors that can accompany dementia: repeated questions, wandering, rejecting assistance, verbal or physical aggression.

The New York Times - Health

The approach is based on the FOE (focus of expansion) concept, but it takes a somewhat unconventional route.

Springer

Minted is able to offer so many designs because it takes a somewhat unique approach to sourcing them.

TechCrunch

Second, it's surprising that he took a somewhat controversial view, not designed to make friends on Wall Street.

The Guardian - Opinion

As it relates to Brady, he took a somewhat confusing three-year extension back in 2013 that added two more years to what was a five-year, $78.5 million deal.

Forbes

During its existence the Soviet Union took a somewhat different approach.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Milioti took a somewhat different point of view.

The New York Times

I actually took a somewhat more complicated position.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took a somewhat" to indicate that a task or activity required a little more effort, time, or resources than initially expected. This subtly prepares the audience for the idea that there was an unexpected element involved.

Common error

Avoid using "it took a somewhat" when the effort or time required was actually significant. Overstating the 'somewhat' can undermine your credibility and make your assessment seem inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took a somewhat" functions as a qualifier, modifying the verb "took" to indicate a degree or extent. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe effort, time, or resources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it took a somewhat" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations where something required a little more effort, time, or resources than expected. Ludwig AI shows that while the phrase is not extremely common, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Alternatives such as "it required a bit" or "it needed some" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, it's important to accurately represent the degree of effort or time involved to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required a bit

Uses 'required' instead of 'took', and 'a bit' instead of 'somewhat' to indicate a small amount of effort or adjustment.

it needed some

Employs 'needed' to convey requirement, and 'some' to express a certain degree.

it demanded a degree of

Replaces 'took' with 'demanded' suggesting a stronger need, and uses 'a degree of' to quantify the requirement.

it necessitated a certain amount of

Substitutes 'took' with 'necessitated', indicating essentiality, and uses 'a certain amount of' to express quantity.

it called for a level of

Uses 'called for' to suggest a need, and 'a level of' to indicate the extent of the requirement.

it involved a measure of

Replaces 'took' with 'involved', focusing on the process, and uses 'a measure of' to express quantity.

it entailed a small amount of

Substitutes 'took' with 'entailed', emphasizing involvement, and uses 'a small amount of' to express quantity.

it incorporated a touch of

Uses 'incorporated' to suggest inclusion, and 'a touch of' to indicate a subtle degree.

it exhibited a hint of

Replaces 'took' with 'exhibited', focusing on display, and uses 'a hint of' to indicate subtlety.

it manifested a shade of

Substitutes 'took' with 'manifested', emphasizing appearance, and uses 'a shade of' to express a slight degree.

FAQs

What does "it took a somewhat" mean?

The phrase "it took a somewhat" means that something required a little more of a particular resource (time, effort, etc.) than was initially anticipated. It implies a moderate degree of surprise or adjustment.

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

You can use "it took a somewhat" to describe situations where more effort, time, or resources were needed than expected. For example, "It took a somewhat longer time than anticipated to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to "it took a somewhat"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it required a bit", "it needed some", or "it demanded a degree of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it took a somewhat" formal or informal?

The phrase "it took a somewhat" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider more precise alternatives.