it took about

USAGE SUMMARY

"it took about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the length of time something has taken to occur or is expected to take. For example: "It took about an hour for the repairman to fix the washing machine".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(It took about 11 minutes).

The New York Times

It took about four days.

Independent

"It took about a year".

The New York Times

It took about three weeks.

University of California, Berkeley

It took about two hours Sunday.

The New York Times

It took about 6 years to perfect.

The New Yorker

It took about a month of work.

The New Yorker

It took about six months.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It takes about three seconds.

The New York Times

It takes about 10 years.

Princeton University

Normally, it takes about four years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it took about", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. For example, specify the task or process: "Installing the software took about 30 minutes."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring 'it' has a clear antecedent. Instead of saying "It took about an hour", specify what "it" refers to: "The meeting took about an hour."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took about" functions as a time adverbial, modifying a verb to indicate the approximate duration of an event or action. Ludwig AI, in its analysis, confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took about" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey an approximate duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct and suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports and academic writings to scientific publications. While alternatives like "it required approximately" or "it lasted roughly" exist, "it took about" remains a versatile and easily understood option. Ensure the context clearly specifies what "it" refers to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required approximately

Replaces "took" with "required" and "about" with "approximately" for a slightly more formal tone.

it lasted roughly

Focuses on the duration using "lasted" and approximates with "roughly".

the process consumed nearly

Emphasizes the consumption of time by a process, using "nearly" for approximation.

it spanned around

Highlights the range or extent of time, employing "around" for approximation.

it extended for almost

Focuses on the extension of time, using "almost" to indicate approximation.

it amounted to close to

Indicates a total or sum of time, using "close to" for approximation.

it encompassed in the vicinity of

Uses more formal vocabulary to express an approximate duration.

the duration was in the neighborhood of

Employs a more descriptive phrase to suggest an approximate time frame.

the undertaking needed in the area of

This alternative uses a more elaborate structure, replacing 'it took' with 'the undertaking needed'.

it hovered near

Suggests the time was floating or close to a specific value, using "hovered near" for approximation.

FAQs

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

Use "it took about" to indicate an estimated duration for a task or event. For example, "It took about three hours to drive to the coast".

What can I say instead of "it took about"?

You can use alternatives like "it required approximately", "it lasted roughly", or "the process consumed nearly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it takes about" instead of "it took about"?

Yes, but the tense changes the meaning. "It takes about" describes a general or habitual duration, while "it took about" refers to a specific past event.

What's the difference between "it took about" and "it took exactly"?

"It took about" indicates an approximation, while "it took exactly" indicates a precise measurement of time or quantity.