it will take about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will take about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are estimating the amount of time that something will take. For example, "It will take about two hours to drive to the beach".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will take about three minutes.

Yale University

It will take about eight months to build.

The New Yorker

It will take about three days and cost a fortune.

The Economist

"It will take about two years to find resistant genes.

The Guardian

It will take about 10 seconds to froth.

The New York Times - Food

It will take about 2 minutes to cook.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will take about 16 months for a full picture of New Horizon's findings.

Independent

"I usually tell my patients it will take about a year".

The New York Times

Boeing said it will take about an hour to load new software update.

The Washington Post

Stir occasionally; it will take about 15 to 20 minutes before the onions are golden brown.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will take about two years for the dots to produce the entire text.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it will take about", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'it' refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. For instance, specify the task or process whose duration you are estimating.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad estimations with "it will take about", such as "it will take about a while". Provide a more specific timeframe whenever possible to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will take about" functions as a time estimation indicator, preceding a duration to suggest an approximate timeframe. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it will take about" is a very common and grammatically correct way to estimate time. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its widespread use across diverse fields, including News & Media, Science, Academia, and Wiki sources. The phrase serves the primary function of approximating time durations, assisting in planning and setting realistic expectations. When using this phrase, be sure to specify what 'it' refers to, and avoid overly vague estimations. Related alternatives include "it should last approximately" or "it is estimated to require around", offering slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it should last approximately

Replaces "take" with "last" and uses "approximately" instead of "about", focusing on duration.

it is estimated to require around

Uses a more formal tone with "estimated to require" and "around" instead of "about".

the duration is expected to be roughly

Emphasizes the expected duration with "roughly" providing a similar approximation.

the process is projected to need about

Focuses on a process and its projected time, using "need" to indicate the time required.

it will require an estimated time of

Highlights the requirement of time, phrasing it more formally.

it's anticipated to last for nearly

Uses "anticipated" to convey expectation and "nearly" for approximation.

expect it to go on for something like

An informal rephrasing, using "go on for something like" to suggest duration.

plan on it being in the neighborhood of

Uses a more colloquial expression, "in the neighborhood of", to approximate time.

the undertaking should span in the vicinity of

A more formal and descriptive rephrasing, using "span in the vicinity of".

it'll clock in at give or take

Offers an approximate estimation with a casual tone, using "clock in at give or take".

FAQs

How can I use "it will take about" in a sentence?

You can use "it will take about" to estimate the duration of an activity or process. For example, "It will take about two hours to drive to the airport" or "It will take about a week to complete the project".

What can I say instead of "it will take about"?

Alternatives include "it should last approximately", "it is estimated to require around", or "the duration is expected to be roughly", depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "it will take about" or "it will take approximately"?

Both "it will take about" and "it will take approximately" are valid for estimating time. "About" is slightly more informal, while "approximately" is more formal, but they convey essentially the same meaning.

What's the difference between "it will take about" and "it will take exactly"?

"It will take about" indicates an estimation, whereas "it will take exactly" suggests a precise and definite duration. Use "it will take about" when you are providing an approximate timeframe, and "it will take exactly" when you are sure of the precise time.