it took workers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it took workers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the time, effort, or resources required by workers to complete a task or project. Example: "It took workers several weeks to finish the construction of the new bridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It took workers eighteen days to find him.

The New Yorker

Rather it was costs like inventory and how long it took workers to finish a task.

The New York Times

In China, it took workers behind the counter about 3 hours 58 minutes; in India, 8 hours 34 minutes.

The New York Times

IN THE early industrial age, men in white coats would walk around factories with watches and clipboards measuring the time it took workers to perform specific tasks.

The Economist

In the Edison blast, it took workers several hours to reach the site and stop the flow of gas, which was feeding the fire.

The New York Times

He managed to spend only nine days at Herrenchiemsee, but it took workers more than a year of experimenting with the lighting of the bedroom to achieve the correct cast of blue.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Automakers are obsessed with ratings, from customer satisfaction to how many hours it takes workers to assemble a car.

The New York Times

Little is known about how long it takes workers and households to transition to new spatial arrangements after a workplace relocation, say, by moving house, changing to a job located elsewhere or changing schools for children.

Journal of Modern Transportation

There's a productivity loss when it takes workers longer to get to work, and the problem is more pronounced for low-income workers, who often commute over longer distances.

Forbes

But the fact that the staffing firm could be held liable for the time it takes workers to get through post-work security, Thierman said, could be "precedent-setting" for the industry.

Huffington Post

It can take workers as much as 25 minutes to regain focus after being interrupted.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it took workers", ensure the context clearly specifies what the workers were doing and why the time or effort involved is significant. Be specific about the task, the number of workers, and the duration.

Common error

Avoid using "it took workers" without specifying the task. Saying "it took workers a long time" is less effective than "it took workers three weeks to complete the bridge construction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took workers" functions as a statement of resource allocation, specifically indicating the involvement of personnel in completing a task. The Ludwig examples provided illustrate how this phrase is used to quantify the labor required for various activities, such as construction or rescue efforts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it took workers" is a phrase used to indicate the involvement of personnel in completing a task, emphasizing the effort and resources required. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, its usage is straightforward: ensure clarity by specifying the task, number of workers, and duration involved. By avoiding vagueness, writers can effectively convey the scope and magnitude of the task at hand. Related alternatives include "workers were required" or "the job required workers".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workers were required

Focuses on the necessity of workers for a task, rather than the time aspect.

workers needed

Similar to 'workers were required' but with a slightly less formal tone.

workers spent time

Emphasizes the duration workers dedicated to a task.

the job required workers

Highlights that the task inherently demanded a workforce.

completion involved workers

Focuses on the workers' participation as a key element for completion.

laborers were engaged for

Uses a more formal term ('laborers') and emphasizes the engagement of workers.

workforce was utilized

Highlights the collective effort of the 'workforce'.

personnel were involved

Replaces 'workers' with 'personnel', making it sound more corporate or official.

staff members were assigned

Similar to 'personnel were involved' but emphasizes assignment to a specific task.

the project employed workers

Focuses on the employment aspect, suggesting workers were hired for the project.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "workers were required", "the task necessitated a workforce", or "completion involved personnel". You can also use "workers needed" depending on the context.

What information should I include when using the phrase "it took workers"?

Provide specifics like the number of workers involved, the task they performed, and the duration it took. For example, "It took 20 workers three months to build the house" is more informative than "It took workers a long time".

Is "it took workers" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "it took workers" is generally acceptable, but ensure your writing remains precise and clear. You might also consider more formal options like, "workers were required" if the context calls for it.

What is a common mistake to avoid when using the phrase "it took workers"?

Avoid vague statements. Instead of saying "it took workers a while", specify the time frame, such as "it took workers five days". This provides concrete information and enhances clarity.