it took them a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took them a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something required a significant amount of time to complete or achieve. Example: "After several attempts, it took them a while to finally solve the complex puzzle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It took them a while to hire me," she said.

Stanford University

But it took them a while to accept that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It took them a while to get to that point.

The Guardian - Sport

It took them a while to get it right.

The New Yorker

Why didn't we think of that?'" It took them a while to get web savvy.

Independent

"They had to get it right and it took them a while to get it right.

The Guardian - Sport

It took them a while to jell, to grow into a championship team".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It takes them a while to learn.

The New York Times - Sports

It takes them a while to accept something new".

The Guardian - Business

"Because they don't get that legal support back home, it takes them a while to understand what exists here".

The New York Times

"My experience with U.P.S., is that once something is lost it takes them a while to find it," he wrote back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took them a while" to indicate a noticeable but not excessive amount of time. It's suitable when the delay is relevant to the narrative or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "it took them a while" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took them a while" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that a certain amount of time was necessary for someone to achieve something, understand something, or complete a task. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took them a while" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a process or achievement required a notable amount of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives like "they required some time" for professional settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to gently emphasize that something wasn't immediate and acknowledge the time investment involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they needed some time

Replaces "took" with "needed" and uses "some time" instead of "a while", softening the expression.

they found it took some time

Adds an introductory verb "found" to adjust sentence flow.

they needed a considerable time

Emphasizes that more than just a little time was needed.

they required a period of time

Formal alternative, replacing the colloquial "a while" with a more precise term.

it was a lengthy process for them

Shifts focus to the process being lengthy rather than the time itself.

they were not quick to

Similar to 'they were slow to' but uses 'quick' instead of 'slow'.

they were slow to

More concise construction, focusing on lack of speed.

it was not immediate for them

Highlights the lack of immediacy, suggesting a gradual realization or action.

they gradually came to

Indicates a gradual process of understanding or acceptance.

it was a drawn-out affair for them

Describes something as prolonged and potentially tedious.

FAQs

What does "it took them a while" mean?

The expression "it took them a while" means that something required a significant amount of time to complete or achieve. It implies a delay or that the process wasn't immediate.

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

You can use "it took them a while" to explain how long someone needed to do something. For example: "It took them a while to figure it out", or "It took them a while to get going".

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

You can use alternatives like "they needed some time", "they required a period of time", or "it was a lengthy process for them" depending on the context.

Is "it took them a while" formal or informal?

"It took them a while" is generally considered neutral to informal. For more formal situations, phrases like "they required a period of time" are more appropriate.