take considerable time

USAGE SUMMARY

"take considerable time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when it is necessary to indicate that a certain activity will require a significant amount of time to complete. For example, you could say, "Preparing for this exam will take considerable time, so it's important to start studying early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Advisory teams take considerable time to build.

The New Yorker

This will take considerable time and effort.

Research Policy

Structured efforts take considerable time and financing.

The New York Times

That process, the statement said, could take "considerable time".

The Guardian

Proper combinations take considerable time and effort, they said.

The Economist

Mr. Aggarwala said that developing renewable energy for New York would take considerable time.

The New York Times

Railtrack concedes it will take considerable time to introduce the system across the network.

The Guardian

It will take considerable time to identify the assets and institutions, he added.

The Guardian

Finding, hiring, and training new people will take considerable time and effort.

The New Yorker

Clearly, negotiating such an external political agreement will take considerable time and high-level effort.

The New York Times

The process may take considerable time or only a few seconds.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take considerable time", ensure the context clearly indicates what activity requires the extended duration. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the time something will "take considerable time" without a valid reason. This can lead to distrust or unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take considerable time" functions as a verb phrase that describes the duration required for a specific activity or process. It indicates that completing something will require a notable amount of time. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, which showcase usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take considerable time" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase indicating that an activity necessitates a noteworthy duration. According to Ludwig, this expression is prevalent across various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic writing. Its neutral-to-professional register makes it versatile for diverse communication settings. While widely accepted, using the phrase accurately and avoiding overstatements are crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "require a significant amount of time" or "involve a lengthy process" can provide stylistic variations. The Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of this phrase in formal English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require a significant amount of time

Replaces "take" with "require" and "considerable time" with a more descriptive phrase.

demand a lot of time

Uses "demand" instead of "take" to emphasize the requirement for time.

involve a lengthy process

Focuses on the process being long rather than the time it consumes.

necessitate a substantial time investment

More formal, using "necessitate" and "substantial time investment".

be a time-consuming endeavor

Describes the activity as time-consuming.

extend over a long period

Shifts the focus to the duration of the activity.

entail a protracted duration

More formal and emphasizes the length of the duration.

call for extensive time allocation

Emphasizes the need to allocate a lot of time.

involve a long wait

Focuses on the waiting aspect of the time requirement.

prove to be a lengthy undertaking

Highlights the length and nature of the task

FAQs

What does "take considerable time" mean?

The phrase "take considerable time" means that a task, process, or activity requires a significant amount of time to complete. It implies that the duration is longer than average or expected.

How can I use "take considerable time" in a sentence?

You can use "take considerable time" to describe how long an activity will last. For example, "Implementing the new software will "require a significant amount of time".".

What are some alternatives to "take considerable time"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "demand a lot of time", "involve a lengthy process", or "necessitate a substantial time investment".

Is it better to say "take considerable time" or "take a long time"?

"Take considerable time" is generally more formal and emphasizes a more significant duration than "take a long time". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.