it took long time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took long time" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to describe how much time something requires, for example: "I realized it took a long time for the paint to dry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Considering the severe joint lesions it took long time before the horse-owners noticed the lameness.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Because different hospitals were using different information systems and inputting different data with various formats, it took long time to agree which variables and their data format should be collected.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It takes long time to change.

The Guardian

"Interns?" It takes long time, but eventually she is able to explain this thing to me.

The New Yorker

But major drawback of this process is that it takes long time.

Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

For a complex part, it takes long time and effort to determine process plan.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Consequently, it takes long time and extreme costs (Pitaktiratham et al. 2012).

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

However, it usually takes long time to encode.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

However, it will take long time on simulation to provide sufficient confidence.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It took a long time.

The New York Times

"It took a long time," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "it required a considerable amount of time" or "it was a time-consuming process" instead of "it took long time" for enhanced clarity and sophistication.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. Instead of saying "it took a long long time", which can sound awkward, consider using a stronger adjective or adverb, such as "it took an exceedingly long time" or "it took ages".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took long time" functions as a statement indicating the duration required for an action or process. It describes the time elapsed, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took long time" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something required a significant duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although it is more common to include the article 'a' ("it took a long time"). While it appears in various contexts, including news and scientific articles, more formal alternatives are recommended for professional or academic writing. Remember to provide context for clarity and avoid redundancy. The examples provided by Ludwig offer valuable insights into how this phrase is used in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a time-consuming process

Rephrases to focus on the activity as being time-consuming.

it required a lengthy period

Replaces "took" with "required" and "long time" with a more formal "lengthy period".

it stretched over a long period

Uses "stretched" to indicate the duration extended over a significant period.

it demanded considerable time

Uses "demanded" instead of "took", suggesting a need for a significant amount of time.

it necessitated an extended timeframe

Substitutes "took" with "necessitated" and "long time" with "extended timeframe" for increased formality.

it spanned a considerable duration

Changes the structure to emphasize the duration of the event or process.

it involved a drawn-out process

Emphasizes the process was lengthy and perhaps tedious.

the process was protracted

Uses the adjective "protracted" to describe the process, indicating it lasted a long time.

it unfolded gradually over time

Shifts focus to the gradual development over a long duration.

it progressed at a slow pace

Highlights the slow speed at which the process advanced.

FAQs

What does "it took long time" mean?

The phrase "it took long time" means that a particular activity or process required a significant duration to complete.

Is "it took long time" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it took long time" is less common than "it took a long time". The inclusion of the article "a" is generally preferred for grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to "it took long time"?

Alternatives include "it required a lengthy period", "it was a time-consuming process", or "it demanded considerable time".

How can I improve the clarity of my sentence when using "it took long time"?

To enhance clarity, specify what "it" refers to and provide context. For example, instead of saying "It took long time", say "The project took a long time to complete".