take time to

USAGE SUMMARY

'take time to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of giving oneself time to do something. For example: "I'm going to take time to research the best vacation destination before I book my tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take time to satisfy yourself.

The New Yorker

The fight will take time to unfold.

The New York Times

Schools, like businesses, take time to build.

The New York Times

Letters take time to write and mail.

The New York Times

"It must take time to get there".

The New Yorker

That, sadly, will take time to change.

The Economist

And the effects take time to develop.

The Economist

Policies take time to implement.

Forbes

Take time to mull things over.

Science Magazine

"Take time to think," Chahal wrote.

BBC

Take time to focus on this now.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take time to", ensure the action following 'to' is a verb in its base form (e.g., "take time to relax", not "take time to relaxing").

Common error

Avoid using the gerund (-ing form) of a verb after "take time to". The correct structure is always "take time to + base form of the verb." For example, use "take time to reflect," not "take time to reflecting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take time to" functions as an imperative or suggestion, encouraging the listener or reader to allocate sufficient time for a particular activity. Ludwig examples show this pattern across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

41%

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take time to" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that serves to emphasize the importance of allocating sufficient time for a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and wide applicability of this phrase. It is found across various contexts, from offering advice on WikiHow to making recommendations in news articles. When using "take time to", ensure you follow it with the base form of the verb and consider using synonyms like "dedicate time to" or "make an effort to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside time to

Similar to dedicate time, but it highlights the act of physically or mentally separating the time.

dedicate time to

This phrase suggests setting aside specific time for a purpose, often a commitment.

prioritize time for

Highlights the importance of scheduling time for something over other activities.

make an effort to

This alternative emphasizes the intention and energy required to do something.

make space for

Focuses on creating room or availability for something in a schedule or life.

ensure you have time to

Focuses on the act of securing time for something, highlighting the need to guarantee availability.

find the opportunity to

This suggests looking for or creating a suitable moment to do something.

remember to make time for

Emphasizes the act of recalling the need to dedicate time for an activity.

invest energy in

Emphasizes the commitment of effort and enthusiasm.

allocate resources to

It is an alternative more appropriate in professional contexts where 'resources' is a broader term than only time.

FAQs

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

Use "take time to" to express the importance of allocating time for a specific action. For example, "Take time to relax and recharge after a long day."

What are some alternatives to "take time to"?

Alternatives include "make an effort to", "dedicate time to", or "set aside time to", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "taking time to" instead of "take time to"?

"Taking time to" can be used in progressive tenses or gerund phrases, but "take time to" is generally used for giving advice or making a suggestion. For example, "I am taking time to learn a new language" vs. "Take time to practice this."

What is the difference between "take time to" and "make time for"?

"Take time to" generally refers to allocating time for a specific activity, while "make time for" implies creating or finding time in a busy schedule. For example, "Take time to relax" versus "remember to make time for your hobbies."