it took were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took were" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be a grammatical error, possibly a mix-up of "it took" and "there were." Example: "It took a long time for there to be a resolution."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Many of the positions it took were tightly hedged.

The Economist

Some of the measures it took were familiar.

The New York Times

She was inspired by the punk ethos of that community, even though the forms it took were sometimes off-putting.

The New Yorker

All it took were two big runs and three or four quality chains-moving runs for the Cardinals to pull this one out.

The New York Times

All it took were four words from the Boss and the rhythmic response shut off, like a spigot instantaneously gone dry.

The Washington Post

There is no reason for Liberia to have gone the course that it took, were it not for the callous neglect of the United States".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

All it took was winning.

The New York Times

All it took was twelve minutes.

The New York Times

All it took was a legal petition.

The New Yorker

All it took was one mighty stroke.

The New York Times

All it took was one look.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical correctness, replace "it took were" with phrases like "what it took was" or restructure the sentence to use "the measures it took were". Always proofread to ensure subject-verb agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "were" after "it took"; instead, use "was" or restructure the sentence to maintain grammatical accuracy. "It took was" is only correct if followed by a noun or adjective that describes what "it" required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took were" functions as an incomplete or grammatically incorrect clause. It appears in contexts where the intention is to describe what was required or involved in a particular situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it took were" is a grammatically incorrect construction often found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase violates standard grammar rules. While the intention is generally to explain what was required for a particular situation, it's important to use grammatically correct alternatives like "what it took was" or restructure the sentence for clarity. Common errors include incorrect verb forms, so proofreading is essential. Related phrases such as "it required" and "all it took was" can provide grammatically sound substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all it took was

Emphasizes the sufficiency of something in achieving a result, focusing on minimalism.

what it took was

Corrects the grammar but maintains a focus on what was necessary, adding a "what" to make it grammatical.

the measures taken were

Restructures the sentence to focus on the actions implemented, correcting the verb tense and word order.

it required

Uses a different verb to convey necessity instead of existence, altering the action focus.

the steps it took were

Similar to "the measures taken were", this focuses on a sequence of actions that were implemented.

it necessitated

Similar to "it required" but implies a stronger sense of need or inevitability.

it demanded

Emphasizes the compulsory aspect, suggesting a forceful need or requirement.

it involved

Shifts the focus to the components or actions included in a process, rather than a state of being.

it took place

Replaces "were" with a verb indicating an event happened, changing the structure and meaning to focus on an occurrence.

it comprised

Highlights the elements that constituted something, changing the perspective to a compositional one.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "it took were"?

The phrase "it took were" is grammatically incorrect. A correct alternative would be to use "what it took was" or restructure the sentence entirely. For example, instead of "it took were children", try "what it took was children" or "the individuals involved were children".

What are some alternatives to "it took were" that maintain a similar meaning?

While grammatically incorrect, if you're aiming to convey necessity, consider phrases like "it required" or "all it took was". Remember to adjust the sentence structure accordingly.

Is "it took were" ever grammatically correct in English?

No, "it took were" is not grammatically correct. The correct form would involve restructuring the sentence to use a verb form that agrees with the subject, such as "it took was" or alternative constructions like "what it took was".

What's the difference between "it took was" and "it took were"?

"It took were" is grammatically incorrect. "It took was" is grammatically correct when followed by an adjective or noun that complements "it". However, to avoid any possible confusion, you may want to consider replacing with expressions like "it required" or "all it took was".