take time and effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take time and effort" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase can be used when talking about the amount of work and dedication required to accomplish something. For example, "If you want to be successful, it will take time and effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It will take time and effort.

The New Yorker

Take time and effort to reflect on this.

The Economist

Such an agreement would take time and effort to implement.

The New York Times

These trends have not evolved overnight and will take time and effort to reverse.

The New York Times

It may take time and effort to evaluate the economic payoff of VNU's acquisition binge.

The New York Times

E-commerce in Africa could be very profitable; it will just take time and effort.

Harvard Business Review

The sanctions regime will take time and effort to unpick, even if American negotiators sometimes claim otherwise.

The Economist

But the reconciliation will take time and effort, according to Steve Scheffler, the president of the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Take time and efforts for the betterment of the company.

WikiHow

All that takes time and effort.

The Guardian - Arts

Developing an effective workload model takes time and effort.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the resources needed for a project, use "take time and effort" to set realistic expectations and encourage thorough planning.

Common error

Avoid rushing projects, thinking you can skip the necessary steps. Underestimating the "time and effort" can lead to burnout and poor results. Break tasks into manageable segments to ensure sustainable progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take time and effort" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the resources required to achieve a goal or complete a task. As Ludwig AI explains, it's commonly used to indicate that success necessitates dedication and labor. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take time and effort" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey the dedication required to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts. Usage ranges from News & Media to Scientific articles. To emphasize the need for planning and realistic expectations when describing projects, consider using "take time and effort". Be mindful of underestimating the workload, and pace tasks to prevent burnout and ensure quality outcomes. You can also use alternatives like "require dedication and work" or "necessitate investment of energy" to adjust the formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require dedication and work

Focuses on the dedication aspect, using "work" instead of "effort".

demand considerable input

Uses a more formal term "input" and "demand" which implies a requirement.

necessitate investment of energy

Replaces "time" with "energy" and uses the more formal word "necessitate".

call for sustained application

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the effort required with "sustained application".

involve considerable resources

Highlights the use of resources, which can include time and effort.

entail a substantial commitment

Stresses the commitment needed, using a more formal vocabulary.

need sustained attention and vigor

Emphasizes sustained attention and replaces effort with vigor.

hinge on sustained work

Highlights that the success depends on sustained work.

be a labor-intensive endeavor

Uses the phrase "labor-intensive" to replace time and effort, focusing on the intensity of the work.

warrant significant exertion

This alternative highlights that the end result is worth the "exertion".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take time and effort" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "require dedication and work", "demand considerable input", or "necessitate investment of energy". These options offer a similar meaning while elevating the formality of your language.

What verbs can I use instead of "take" in the phrase "take time and effort"?

Alternatives to "take" include "require", "demand", or "necessitate". For example, "The project will require "time and effort"" maintains the meaning while varying the verb choice.

Is it redundant to use "time and effort" together?

While "time" and "effort" are distinct, they often go hand in hand, making the phrase "take time and effort" effective in emphasizing the dual commitment needed for a task. You could specify which one is more prominent, but using both is acceptable.

How do I emphasize the 'effort' part of "take time and effort"?

To stress the effort, you could say "require considerable exertion", "demand significant dedication", or "hinge on sustained work". These phrases highlight the energy and dedication needed to complete the task.