the task took them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the task took them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the duration or effort required for a specific task that involved a group of people. Example: "The task took them several hours to complete, but they were satisfied with the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The task took him ten years.

The New Yorker

The task took her just a year.

The New York Times

The task took the Craigheads around the world.

The New Yorker

The task took three hours, Ms. Vogel said.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet training the program for the task took less than five days.

The Guardian - Tech

But the task took on a new intensity as their faith came under scrutiny.

The New York Times

The task took Rembar and the rest of the legal team at Grove seven years to accomplish.

The New Yorker

The task took approximately 5 min to complete.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The task took place in a to an open-field box (45 × 45 × 50 cm).

Chemistry Central Journal

People did this task for exactly 10 minutes, and then they were asked how long the task took.

Huffington Post

The task took about half an hour.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the task took them", ensure the context clearly defines who "them" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For clarity, specify the group or individuals involved immediately before or after the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "the task took them" without clearly establishing who "them" refers to. Ensure the antecedent is explicitly stated to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "The task took them longer than expected", write "The complex analysis task took the research team longer than expected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the task took them" functions as a statement of time or resource consumption. It indicates that a certain task required a specific group of people to expend time or effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the task took them" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the time or effort expended by a group to complete a specific task. As Ludwig AI points out, the structure is valid, though it currently appears infrequently across various sources. To enhance clarity, always ensure that the pronoun "them" clearly refers to a previously identified group. While versatile, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or business writing to convey specific nuances about resource allocation or dedication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they spent time on the task

Emphasizes the time investment in the task, focusing on the duration.

they invested time in the endeavor

Emphasizes the time investment as a valuable resource used for the endeavor.

the endeavor occupied their time

Highlights that the task consumed their time, suggesting a significant portion was dedicated to it.

they devoted their efforts to the task

Highlights the focused energy and resources they put into completing the task.

their time was spent on the project

Directly states how their time was allocated, highlighting the project as the recipient.

the project required their commitment

Focuses on the dedication and effort needed from them, emphasizing the commitment involved.

the undertaking consumed their energy

Focuses on the energy expenditure associated with completing the undertaking.

they dedicated resources to the challenge

Emphasizes the deliberate allocation of resources to address the challenge.

the assignment demanded their attention

Highlights the need for focused attention and effort to complete the assignment.

the mission absorbed their resources

Highlights the consumption of various resources, not just time, for completing the mission.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the task took them" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "the task required their commitment", "the project demanded their full attention", or "they devoted significant time to the endeavor".

What does it mean when we say "the task took them longer than expected"?

This means that the amount of time they anticipated needing for the task was less than the actual time it required. It suggests an underestimation of the task's complexity or the challenges involved.

Is "the task took them" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the task took them" is grammatically sound. However, ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of who "them" refers to, such as a specific team or group of individuals.

What are some ways to specify the duration when using "the task took them"?

You can specify the duration by adding phrases like "the task took them several hours", "the task took them a week to complete", or "the task took them longer than anticipated".