it took some effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took some effort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a task or achievement required a significant amount of work or determination. Example: "Completing the project on time was challenging, but it took some effort, and we managed to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It took some effort.

The New York Times - Style

It took some effort, but she resisted.

The Washington Post

It took some effort to win her repeat business.

The New York Times

It took some effort and, even then, an obliging thermometer.

The New York Times

It took some effort to pull myself up to the window in the bathroom.

The New York Times - Magazine

It took some effort to get past the photographers and ga-ga gangstas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It takes some effort, but the pirates comply.

The New York Times - Books

It takes some effort to persuade her to sit down.

The New York Times

It takes some effort to remember that this orchestra used to be a fairly wild group.

The New Yorker

"I can do it, but it takes some effort," she said.

The New York Times

It takes some effort and concentration, through which he chortles and mutters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took some effort" to clearly communicate that an action or task necessitated more than minimal exertion, highlighting the labor involved.

Common error

Avoid using "it took some effort" when describing trivially easy tasks, as this can dilute the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took some effort" functions as a statement indicating that a particular action or task required a certain amount of exertion or work. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it took some effort" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to indicate that a task or action required significant exertion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely applicable across various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media, as well as formal and business settings. When writing, ensure the described task indeed required meaningful effort to avoid diluting the phrase's impact. Alternatives such as "it necessitated some work" or "it demanded some exertion" may offer nuanced expressions, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it necessitated some work

Replaces "effort" with "work", emphasizing the labor aspect.

it demanded some exertion

Substitutes "effort" with "exertion", highlighting the physical or mental energy expended.

it required some application

Replaces "effort" with "application", focusing on the dedicated use of skills or knowledge.

it involved a degree of struggle

Highlights the challenging aspect of the task, using stronger terms like "struggle".

it wasn't a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression indicating that something was not easy.

it called for considerable input

Focuses on the need for significant contribution or involvement.

it presented a challenge

Shifts the focus to the difficulty posed by the task.

it entailed a fair amount of trouble

Emphasizes the inconvenience or difficulty caused by the task.

it took considerable doing

Uses the verb "doing" as a noun to imply effort

it was no mean feat

This implies that the task was quite difficult and an accomplishment.

FAQs

What does "it took some effort" mean?

The phrase "it took some effort" means that achieving something required a notable amount of work, energy, or determination.

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

You can use "it took some effort" to indicate that a task was not easy and required significant exertion. For example, "Although the climb was steep, it took some effort to reach the summit."

What are some alternatives to "it took some effort"?

You can use alternatives like "it required some work", "it demanded some exertion", or "it wasn't easy" depending on the context.

Is "it takes some effort" or "it took some effort" more appropriate?

Both phrases are correct, but "it took some effort" refers to a past event, while "it takes some effort" describes a general or ongoing situation. Choose the tense that matches your intended meaning.