take its time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take its time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not rushed and can proceed at a leisurely pace. Example: "Don't worry about finishing the project quickly; we can take our time to ensure it's done right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It does take its time; it does have its pressures," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe slow it down, let it take its time.

Huffington Post

The Home Office should stop rushing to push it through and take its time to get it right".

TechCrunch

THE endgame may have started, but this week it became clear that it will take its time to play out.

The Economist

Facebook does plan to monetize Messenger through payments, but it's going to take its time to do it right.

TechCrunch

It may take its time in setting a broad policy.

The New York Times

"Justice will take its time but it will come.

The Guardian - Sport

The White House announced it would take its time to arrive at an Iraq plan.

The Guardian

"It will take its time until we cut the string still linking us with the jungle".

The Guardian

But the movie does take its time, and it wanders over a wide expanse of geographic and thematic territory.

The New York Times

"Justice will take its time but it will come," added Balbi.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "take its time" to foster a sense of calm and thoroughness in your writing, particularly when describing processes or projects that benefit from careful execution.

Common error

Avoid using "take its time" when describing actions that need to be performed quickly or in emergency situations. It can create a sense of complacency when urgency is needed. Prefer using "act promptly" or "expedite the process" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take its time" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It typically acts as a predicate or part of a predicate, indicating the manner in which an action or process unfolds. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take its time" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is not rushed and can proceed at a leisurely pace. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's prevalent in news and media, formal business settings, and general writing. While the phrase is suitable for many situations, it's important to avoid using it in time-sensitive contexts where urgency is required. Related phrases include "proceed at a leisurely pace" and "go at its own speed". Remember to use "take its time" to foster a sense of calm and thoroughness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed at a leisurely pace

Focuses on the manner of proceeding, highlighting the lack of urgency.

go at its own speed

Emphasizes autonomy and the natural rhythm of progress.

not be rushed

Highlights the absence of external pressure to accelerate.

move deliberately

Stresses intention and careful consideration in progression.

unfold gradually

Focuses on the process of revelation or development over time.

develop at its own rate

Highlights the intrinsic pace of growth or maturation.

hasten slowly

Suggests a balanced approach, combining progress with caution.

linger

Implies a prolonged duration or enjoyment of a particular state.

draw out

Focuses on extending the duration of something.

stretch out

Emphasizes the expansion or prolongation of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "take its time" to suggest that something should not be rushed, such as: "The investigation will "take its time" to ensure all the facts are gathered" or "Let the dough "take its time" to rise for the best results."

What are some alternatives to "take its time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "proceed at a leisurely pace", "go at its own speed", or "not be rushed" to convey a similar meaning. For example, instead of saying "The project should "take its time"", you could say "The project should "proceed at a leisurely pace"".

Is it correct to say "takes its time" instead of "take its time"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "takes its time" when referring to a singular noun or pronoun (e.g., "The company takes its time"). Use "take its time" with plural nouns or pronouns (e.g., "They take their time").

What's the difference between "take its time" and "take your time"?

"Take its time" refers to something impersonal or belonging to an entity, whereas "take your time" is directly addressed to someone, giving them permission to not rush. For example: "The algorithm will "take its time" to analyze the data," versus "You can "take your time" completing the task."