takes too much time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes too much time" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when talking about how something is taking longer than expected or desired. For example: "The instructions to assemble the bookshelf took too much time, so I had to ask for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Golf, he added, "takes too much time".

The New York Times

"It takes too much time," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

I've tried checking them, but that takes too much time.

The New York Times

Many people find blogging takes too much time and effort.

The Guardian - Tech

But some bento-ists think cute takes too much time.

The New York Times - Food

Concrete design is a hard and expensive job, moreover it takes too much time.

Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems

And riffling through a dictionary takes too much time when you're midconversation.

The New York Times - Tech

"They say it's too expensive and takes too much time, and I find that attitude depressing".

The New York Times - Food

But it takes too much time; now they can satisfy their readers".

The New York Times - Arts

Cooking food from scratch takes too much time, and is too difficult and too expensive.

The New York Times - Food

Participatory democracy doesn't work, some say, because it takes too much time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "takes too much time", consider whether a more specific term might better convey the reason for the time constraint (e.g., "is inefficient", "requires extensive training", "involves complex calculations").

Common error

Avoid using "takes too much time" as a generic complaint. Instead, provide specific details about why something is time-consuming to make your feedback more constructive and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes too much time" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing that a particular action, process, or activity consumes an excessive amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "takes too much time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something requires an excessive amount of time. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for various contexts, although being specific about the reasons why something is time-consuming improves clarity. While generally neutral, the phrase often carries a negative connotation, implying inefficiency or frustration. Consider alternatives like "is too time-consuming" or "requires excessive time" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is too time-consuming

Emphasizes the activity as inherently lengthy.

requires excessive time

Highlights the unreasonable amount of time needed.

consumes a lot of time

Focuses on the depletion of available time.

is not time-efficient

Directly addresses the lack of efficiency.

devours too much time

Implies a rapid and undesirable consumption of time.

eats up a lot of time

Similar to 'devours', suggesting time is being used quickly.

is a lengthy process

Focuses on the extended duration of the activity.

demands considerable time

Highlights the substantial time investment required.

is a time sink

Describes the activity as wasting time without significant return.

exceeds the time limit

Indicates that a specific time constraint is being violated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "takes too much time" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "requires excessive time", "is unduly time-consuming", or "demands considerable time".

What are some informal alternatives to "takes too much time"?

For informal situations, you could say it "eats up a lot of time", "is a time sink", or "takes forever" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "takes too much time" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to express that an activity or process consumes an unreasonable or undesirable amount of time, making it inefficient or impractical. Be sure to provide context or reasons to support your statement.

What's the difference between "takes too much time" and "is time-consuming"?

"Takes too much time" often implies a negative judgment or frustration about the duration, whereas "is time-consuming" is a more neutral description of an activity that requires significant time. The former is often used to express a problem, while the latter is simply a statement of fact.