it took effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where significant work or energy was required to achieve something. Example: "Completing the project on time was challenging, but it took effort from the entire team to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It took effort and courage to get here, to get home, but she made it.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. McConnell said he and the speaker already knew that it took effort to hold Republicans together.

The New York Times

It took effort, but I remembered many of my classmates who were present, or at least felt something very familiar about them.

The New York Times

It took effort, imagination, diplomacy, sensible accommodation and nearly an entire day more than originally planned to forge the required agreements.

Forbes

It took effort and patience.

Huffington Post

"Most people didn't react because it took effort to write a letter to the editor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It takes effort.

The New York Times

I eventually can, but it takes effort.

The New Yorker

It takes effort and misanthropy to refuse.

The New York Times

It takes effort to do well.

The New York Times

It takes effort to be this smooth.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements, use "it took effort" to underscore the dedication and hard work involved, adding credibility to the accomplishment. For example: "Launching the new product successfully took effort from every department."

Common error

Avoid using "it took effort" as a standalone statement without specifying what required the effort or what was achieved. Provide details to illustrate the challenges overcome. Instead of saying "It took effort", say "It took considerable effort to coordinate the project teams across multiple time zones."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took effort" functions as a statement indicating that a particular task, achievement, or situation necessitated significant exertion, energy, or dedication. Ludwig provides examples of it being used in various contexts to highlight the challenges overcome or the commitment required.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

34%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took effort" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something required significant work and dedication. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, personal narratives, and professional settings. The phrase serves to highlight the challenges overcome and the commitment made to achieve a particular outcome. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to illustrate what specifically required the effort and what was accomplished as a result. Alternatives like "it required dedication" or "it necessitated hard work" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required dedication

Emphasizes the commitment and sustained focus needed.

it demanded perseverance

Highlights the need for persistence despite challenges.

it necessitated hard work

Focuses on the labor and diligence involved.

it called for commitment

Stresses the importance of a pledge or promise to succeed.

it involved considerable exertion

Highlights the physical or mental energy expended.

it wasn't easy

Emphasizes the difficulty faced.

it proved challenging

Highlights the obstacles and difficulties encountered.

it needed great pains

Shows extreme effort and care were necessary.

it entailed a struggle

Focuses on the conflict and resistance overcome.

it was an uphill battle

Suggests a constant and difficult struggle against opposition.

FAQs

What does "it took effort" mean?

The phrase "it took effort" signifies that achieving something required significant work, energy, and dedication. It implies that the outcome was not easily attained and involved overcoming challenges.

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

You can use "it took effort" to highlight the exertion required for a specific task. For example, "Completing the marathon /s/required+dedication, and it took effort to train consistently."

What are some alternatives to "it took effort"?

Alternatives to "it took effort" include "it required dedication", "it demanded perseverance", or "it necessitated hard work", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it takes effort" or "it took effort"?

"It takes effort" is used to describe a general or ongoing requirement, while "it took effort" refers to a specific past event. For example, "Maintaining a healthy lifestyle "it takes effort"", but "Climbing that mountain "it took effort"".