that took time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that took time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a particular task or process required a significant amount of time to complete. Example: "The project was more complex than we anticipated, and that took time to resolve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

That took time".

The New York Times - Sports

As for the friendship: that took time.

The New York Times - Science

"That took time to develop," the official said.

The New York Times

Expensive food that took time to prepare "wasn't for people like us," she writes.

The New York Times - Books

That took time, as researchers learned how to use their new tool.

MIT Technology Review

By now, he has accepted what happened, although that took time.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But that takes time.

The Economist

But achieving that takes time.

The New York Times

But that takes time — generations".

The New York Times - Arts

All of that takes time.

The New York Times

It's work that takes time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that took time", be specific about what "that" refers to. Ensure the context clearly indicates the task, process, or event that required a significant amount of time.

Common error

Avoid using "that took time" without a clear antecedent. Without a specific reference, the phrase becomes ambiguous and weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "that took time" functions as a clause that provides additional information about a preceding event, action, or process. It specifies the temporal aspect, emphasizing the duration required. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that took time" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something required a significant duration. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to explain the time investment involved in a process or event. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by making sure the reference is explicit and avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "that required a while" or "that involved a lengthy process" can provide nuanced emphasis. Remember, while versatile, "that took time" benefits from a clear connection to the specific subject it modifies to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that required a while

Replaces "took time" with "required a while", emphasizing the necessity of a duration.

that involved a lengthy process

Substitutes "took time" with "involved a lengthy process", highlighting the extended nature of the procedure.

that demanded considerable time

Replaces "took time" with "demanded considerable time", stressing the significant amount of time needed.

that necessitated a time investment

Substitutes "took time" with "necessitated a time investment", framing time as a resource being used.

that spanned a considerable period

Replaces "took time" with "spanned a considerable period", focusing on the duration's extent.

that was a time-consuming endeavor

Replaces "took time" with "was a time-consuming endeavor", describing the task as inherently lengthy.

that unfolded gradually

Focuses on the gradual development over time, rather than just the time taken.

that matured over time

Emphasizes a process of development and improvement as time passes.

that needed patience

Highlights the requirement of patience during the process, focusing on the emotional aspect of waiting.

that wasn't instantaneous

Emphasizes the non-immediate nature of the outcome.

FAQs

What does "that took time" mean?

The phrase "that took time" means that a particular task, process, or event required a significant amount of time to complete.

How can I use "that took time" in a sentence?

You can use "that took time" to explain that something required a duration to be achieved. For example, "Mastering the instrument "that took time" and dedication".

What are some alternatives to "that took time"?

Some alternatives to "that took time" include "that required a while", "that involved a lengthy process", or "that demanded considerable time".

Is "that takes time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that takes time" is grammatically correct and has a similar meaning to "that took time", with the difference that "that takes time" refers to the present tense and "that took time" refers to the past tense.