it took around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took around" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an approximate duration of time taken to complete a task or event. Example: "It took around three hours to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Strikingly, it took around 50 years of use before the US FDA issued its warning (September 2007) regarding the association of haloperidol with QT prolongation and arrhythmias.

CNS Drugs

It took around 300 deterministic evaluations.

Engineering Structures

Altogether, it took around two hours, colour after colour.

The Guardian - Arts

It took around six months for people to come around.

The Guardian

It took around two hours of work to write. the answer to the puzzle.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It took around three years to build, with construction completed in July 2011.

The New York Times

It took around 12 hours to capture the animal and tranquilise it.

Independent

Charging the laptop to full battery while still using it took around two hours.

The Guardian - Tech

It took around four hours for him to be seen by a medical professional.

The Guardian

"It took around 50 years for them to finish the first run," Dent explains.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It takes around three hours to complete the 10km loop of its base.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it took around", ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it took around" without a clear antecedent for 'it'. Vague references can confuse readers. Instead, specify the subject: "The project took around three weeks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took around" functions as a verbal phrase used to express the approximate duration or amount of time needed to complete an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common. The examples demonstrate its flexibility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it took around" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating an approximate duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and versatile expression appearing across varied contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure clarity regarding the subject ('it') to avoid ambiguity. For more formal settings, alternatives like "it required approximately" might be preferred. The phrase is well-supported by examples from authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing estimated timeframes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required approximately

Replaces the more casual "took around" with the formal "required approximately".

it necessitated roughly

Substitutes "took around" with "necessitated roughly", indicating an estimation of time or effort.

it involved about

Changes the structure to focus on involvement rather than time, using "about" to approximate.

it consumed approximately

Emphasizes the consumption of time or resources, using "approximately" for approximation.

the process lasted approximately

Shifts the focus to the process's duration, using "lasted approximately" to indicate time.

the endeavor required in the vicinity of

Replaces casual diction with complex lexis ('endeavor' and 'vicinity') for a more formal tone.

it spanned nearly

Utilizes a more temporal verb, framing the phrase as an estimate that 'spanned' an indicated duration.

it extended for roughly

Uses the verb 'extended' to stress duration, modifying it with the term of approximation, 'roughly'.

the project took close to

Replaces the informal "around" with the more direct "close to", while specifying "project" as the subject.

it entailed in the neighborhood of

Adopts a more descriptive verb and approximates the quantity with 'in the neighborhood of'.

FAQs

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

Use "it took around" to indicate an estimated time or effort to complete something, like, "it took around three hours to finish the report."

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

Alternatives include /s/it+took+approximately, /s/it+took+roughly, or /s/it+took+about, depending on the formality and nuance you want to convey.

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

The correct tense depends on the context. "It took around" refers to something that happened in the past, while /s/it+takes+around refers to something that happens regularly or is expected to happen in the future.

Which is more formal, "it took around" or "it required approximately"?

"/s/it+required+approximately" is generally more formal than "it took around". "It took around" is suitable for casual or general contexts, while "it required approximately" is better for professional or academic writing.