it took them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the duration or effort required by a group of people to accomplish a task or reach a conclusion. Example: "It took them several hours to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It took them a year.

Stanford University

It took them years.

The Guardian

It took them longer to fall asleep.

The New Yorker

It took them all of five hours.

The New York Times - Tech

It took them months to get released.

Independent

It took them almost 10 minutes".

The New York Times

It took them 10 years.

The Guardian - Books

It took them an hour.

The New Yorker

It took them nine minutes.

The New York Times

It took them a day.

The Guardian - Money

"It took them four days.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it took them" with more specific verbs like "required", "needed", or "demanded" for a more impactful sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "it took them" when the subject is unclear or could refer to multiple groups. Always ensure the antecedent of "them" is explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took them" functions as a verbal phrase used to express the amount of time, effort, or resources consumed by a group of people to accomplish something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the time, resources, or effort expended by a group to complete a task. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While the phrase is versatile, ensuring clarity in reference and considering more specific verbs can enhance writing. Alternatives include "they spent", "they needed", and "it required of them". The phrase appears to be used very often so it is advised to diversify from it in your writtings, using alternatives or changing the sentence to not use "it took them" directly. All in all, a good and usable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they spent

Emphasizes the act of dedicating time to a task.

they required

Focuses on the necessity of the time or effort, rather than simply stating it was consumed.

they needed

Highlights the need for a certain duration or resources to complete something.

the task took them

Rephrases to emphasize the task as the subject consuming time.

it required of them

Shifts the focus to what was demanded or necessitated by the task.

it consumed

Focuses on the consumption of time or resources, often implying a significant amount.

they invested

Highlights the commitment of time or effort, presenting it as an investment.

they devoted

Similar to invested, but implies a higher degree of dedication or purpose.

it demanded of them

Stresses the demanding nature of the task in terms of time or resources.

they labored

Emphasizes the effort and hard work involved over a period of time.

FAQs

What does "it took them" mean?

The phrase "it took them" indicates the amount of time, effort, or resources that a group of people required to complete a task or reach a certain point. For example, "it took them years" to finish the project.

What can I say instead of "it took them"?

You can use alternatives like "they spent", "they needed", or "it required of them" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it take them" grammatically correct?

No, "it take them" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it took them", which uses the past tense of "take" to indicate that the action or duration occurred in the past.

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

You can use "it took them" to describe the duration or effort involved in completing something. For example, "it took them several days" to reach the destination or "it took them a while" to understand the concept.