it took patience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took patience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a situation or task required a significant amount of patience to achieve a desired outcome. Example: "After months of practice and dedication, it took patience to finally master the piano piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It took patience, it took perseverance," Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

"It took patience," said Novak, who retired in 2007.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't always a pretty game, but it took patience and skill to win it.

The New York Times - Sports

It took patience and persistence to get the kind of access to Abu Jandal that Ms. Poitras wanted.

The New York Times

The breath control helped, the man who'd performed said; the language was knotty, but mastering it took patience.

The Guardian - Books

OKLAHOMA CITY — It took patience to endure the 23-win season, the four straight lottery appearances, the long slog through a Western Conference dominated by superstars and dynasties.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Still, it takes patience.

The New York Times - Food

Mostly, it takes patience.

The New York Times

"It takes patience," he said.

The New York Times

"It takes time, and it takes patience".

The New York Times

But it takes patience and planning.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or achievement, use "it took patience" to highlight the importance of perseverance and a steady approach.

Common error

Avoid implying that patience alone guarantees success. While essential, patience should be presented alongside other contributing factors like skill, effort, and strategy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took patience" functions as a statement indicating that a certain degree of patience was necessary to accomplish something or endure a particular situation. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct and usable status in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

20%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Huffington Post

10%

BBC

3%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it took patience" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that a situation or task required a significant amount of perseverance and a steady approach. According to Ludwig AI's analysis, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English. While versatile across different contexts, it frequently appears in news, media, and sports reporting. When using the phrase, consider emphasizing the necessity of patience alongside other contributing factors for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patience was required

Replaces the active voice with a passive construction, focusing on the requirement of patience rather than the actor.

it needed patience

Uses "needed" instead of "took" to express the requirement for patience.

patience was necessary

Emphasizes the necessity of patience using a more formal tone.

it demanded patience

Replaces "took" with "demanded" to convey a stronger sense of needing patience.

persistence was needed

Shifts the focus slightly to persistence, implying that patience is a component of it.

it involved patience

Focuses on patience as an integral part of the process.

it called for patience

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate that the situation required patience.

it hinged on patience

Indicates that success depended on patience.

endurance was key

Highlights the importance of endurance, suggesting patience as a necessary element.

a calm approach was essential

Shifts the focus to a calm approach, implying that patience is crucial for maintaining it.

FAQs

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

In more formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "patience was required", "patience was necessary" or "it demanded patience" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

What does "it took patience" imply about the situation?

The phrase "it took patience" implies that the situation was challenging or time-consuming, requiring a significant amount of perseverance and a calm demeanor to achieve the desired outcome. It suggests that success wasn't immediate or easy.

Is there a difference between "it took patience" and "it requires patience"?

"It took patience" refers to a past event or situation where patience was necessary, while "it requires patience" refers to a present or future situation. The former describes a completed action, whereas the latter describes an ongoing or anticipated need.

What are some synonyms for "it took patience" that emphasize effort or dedication?

Alternatives that highlight effort and dedication include "it took perseverance", "it required sustained effort", or "it demanded patience". These options emphasize the active role one had to take in exercising patience.