it took considerable time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took considerable time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a significant amount of time was required to complete a task or process. Example: "The project was complex, and it took considerable time to finalize all the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A Health Department spokesman, John Gadd, said that it took considerable time to analyze such data and that he could not explain the magnitude of this year's surge.

The New York Times

It took considerable time and the help of a partner, Luca Venitucci, to analyze the welter of information; they had finished only three of the four sections when the transcription had its premiere in 2002.

The New York Times - Arts

The current ideas, their underlying rationale, their apparent sensibility or utility and the ambition behind their introduction were all convincing and credible some time ago, even though it took considerable time for them to win their place.

European Journal of Futures Research

For instance, Anderson recalled that RAF pilots had found it difficult to counter German attacks during the Battle of Britain, since taking off from the ground meant that it took considerable time to intercept the enemy.

Wikipedia

Audacious had been becalmed with Desaix off the bow and out of the ship's field of fire and it took considerable time and effort with the ship's boats to affect the turn needed to engage the French ship.

Wikipedia

But it took considerable time before convenient and safe preparations were developed.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Similar to wine connoisseurs, "it takes considerable time and dedication to become proficient in identifying superior Namiki maki-e examples and this rigorousness seems to appeal to serious pen aficionados," Briggs said.

BBC

It takes considerable time for restaurateurs to round up investors, lock in a lease and nail down contractors.

The New York Times - Food

But, he added, it takes considerable time and energy to build a brand, even one with a structure in place.

The New York Times

"It is in the nature of sex abuse investigations that it takes considerable time to gather evidence from people who have been very damaged from the experience and clearly this is more difficult when matters occurred many years ago.

The Guardian

Using systems that allow teachers to arbitrarily set the visualization fields observed by learners, it takes considerable time to complete visualization settings.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it took considerable time", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Providing specific details about the activity or process enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it took considerable time" without a clear reference to what "it" refers to. This can lead to confusion. Always ensure the subject is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took considerable time" functions as a statement of duration, indicating the length of time required for a specific activity or process. As evidenced by Ludwig examples, it communicates that completing something required a notable amount of time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it took considerable time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something required a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this phrase's validity, highlighting its frequent appearance in scientific and news media contexts. While versatile, it's essential to ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "it required substantial time". By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively use "it took considerable time" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required substantial time

Replaces "took" with "required" and "considerable" with "substantial" to emphasize the necessity of the time spent.

it demanded a significant amount of time

Uses "demanded" to suggest the time was not just taken, but necessary, and "significant" in place of "considerable".

it consumed a great deal of time

Emphasizes that much time was 'used up' by the activity.

a lot of time was needed

Simplifies the structure while maintaining the core meaning of requiring a large time investment.

it involved a lengthy process

Focuses on the process being long rather than directly stating the time taken.

the task was time-consuming

Highlights that the task itself consumed a large amount of time.

it spanned a considerable duration

Uses "spanned" to describe the duration of the process or activity.

the endeavor was lengthy

A more concise way of indicating that the project or task took a long time.

it stretched out for a good while

An informal way to express that something took longer than expected.

it was a protracted affair

Implies the task or event was unnecessarily long and perhaps tedious.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it took considerable time" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "it required substantial time" or "it demanded a significant amount of time".

What's a simpler way to say "it took considerable time"?

You can simplify the phrase to "it took a long time" or "a lot of time was needed" for easier understanding.

Is "it took considerable time" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "it took considerable time" is appropriate for academic writing, but ensure it's used in a context where formality isn't overly strict. If a more formal tone is required, consider alternatives like "it required substantial time".

How does "it took considerable time" differ from "the task was time-consuming"?

"It took considerable time" focuses on the duration, while "the task was time-consuming" emphasizes that the nature of the task itself consumed a lot of time. The former is about duration, the latter about the task's characteristic.