it took centuries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took centuries" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process, event, or change that required a very long time to occur, often emphasizing the duration involved. Example: "The construction of the Great Wall of China was a monumental task, and it took centuries to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It took centuries for chocolate to make its way from Royal Europe to the most unroyal of them all - colonial rebels of the New World.

Huffington Post

"It took centuries to develop it".

The Guardian

It took centuries to create the system of English courts.

The Guardian

It took centuries to combine the two into the constitutional liberal polities of the West.

The Economist

We see too that after the First Folio's debut, it took centuries for homage to turn into worship.

The New York Times - Arts

This solution, however, seems not to have been in Paul's mind, and it took centuries of debate to evolve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"It takes centuries to make relations and minutes to destroy them," he said.

The New York Times

It is made from precious petroleum, after all, and once discarded in landfills and oceans, it takes centuries to degrade.

Harvard University

"It takes centuries for the huarango to be of substantial size, and only a few hours to fell it with a chainsaw," Mr. Beresford-Jones said.

The New York Times

Since it takes centuries for the traditional fossil energy to be replenished, it will be exhausted with the growing demand for energy of human society.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

It takes centuries to ventilate the vast deep ocean.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took centuries" to emphasize the extensive duration required for a particular process or development. This phrase is effective when highlighting the gradual nature of change or the accumulation of effort over a long time.

Common error

Avoid using "it took centuries" when the actual timeframe is significantly shorter, such as decades or years. Ensure the context genuinely warrants the implication of a multi-century duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took centuries" functions as a statement of duration. It indicates the amount of time needed for a particular process, event, or development to occur. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to emphasize the lengthy nature of historical or gradual changes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it took centuries" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to emphasize the extended period needed for something to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, with examples spanning from news articles to encyclopedic entries. The phrase is particularly useful when emphasizing the slow, gradual nature of historical changes, cultural developments, or scientific advancements. While versatile, it's important to ensure that the context appropriately reflects a duration genuinely spanning multiple centuries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required centuries

Focuses on the necessity of the time period rather than the act of taking.

centuries were needed

Emphasizes the duration using a passive voice.

it spanned centuries

Highlights the extended duration of an event or process.

it unfolded over centuries

Emphasizes the gradual development and revealing of something.

it developed across centuries

Highlights the gradual evolution and progress of something.

it evolved over centuries

Focuses on the evolutionary aspect of a change or development.

it took ages

A more informal way to express a very long time was needed.

it took a very long time

A more general way to indicate a considerable amount of time passed.

it was a lengthy process

Highlights the length of the process itself.

it was a drawn-out affair

Suggests a tedious and prolonged process.

FAQs

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

Use "it took centuries" to describe processes or developments that required hundreds of years to complete. For example, "It took centuries for the Catholic Church to fully understand the deep relationship between the priesthood and celibacy".

What are some alternatives to "it took centuries"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it required centuries", "centuries were needed", or "it spanned centuries", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "it takes centuries" or "it took centuries"?

"It takes centuries" describes an ongoing or recurring process, while "it took centuries" refers to a process that has already been completed over a long period.

What's the difference between "it took centuries" and "it took a long time"?

"It took centuries" specifies a duration of hundreds of years, while "it took a long time" is a more general statement that could refer to any extended period.