time consuming

USAGE SUMMARY

"time consuming" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to distinguish tasks or activities that take a lot of time to complete or require a lot of effort. For example: Planning a wedding is a very time consuming task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Cooking is time consuming".

The New York Times

But it is time consuming.

The Economist

But it was time consuming.

The New York Times - Sports

Time consuming drive this.

The Guardian - Sport

It's very time consuming.

Cornell University

This was time consuming.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

They're time-consuming.

The New Yorker

Just how time-consuming?

The New York Times - Travel

Collecting seeds is time-consuming.

The New York Times

This was time-consuming stuff.

The Economist

That's pricey and time-consuming.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, be specific about why they are "time consuming". For instance, mention whether it's due to complexity, volume, or the need for meticulous attention to detail.

Common error

Avoid overuse by varying your language. Instead of repeatedly calling tasks "time consuming", use synonyms like "lengthy", "protracted", or "demanding" to add nuance and clarity to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time consuming" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a noun or activity that requires a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and grammatical correctness. For instance, "Cooking is time consuming" or "Window shopping is time consuming".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time consuming" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase used to describe activities that require a considerable amount of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, primarily appearing in news, media, and wiki sources. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's important to be specific about why an activity is "time consuming" and to diversify your language by incorporating synonyms like "lengthy", "protracted", or "demanding" to enhance clarity and prevent overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-intensive

Focuses on the high concentration of time required.

demanding of time

Directly states the requirement for time.

lengthy process

Emphasizes the duration of the task.

drawn-out

Similar to protracted, emphasizing the prolonged nature.

long-drawn-out

An intensified version of "drawn-out".

protracted

Stresses the extended duration of the activity.

extensive

Implies a large scope or scale requiring considerable time.

laborious

Highlights the effort and exertion involved.

arduous

Focuses more on the difficulty and strenuousness of the activity.

tedious

Focuses on the monotonous and potentially boring nature of the task.

FAQs

How can I use "time consuming" in a sentence?

You can use "time consuming" to describe activities or tasks that require a significant amount of time to complete. For example, "Data analysis can be a very time consuming process".

What are some alternatives to "time consuming"?

You can use alternatives like "lengthy process", "time-intensive", or "laborious" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "time consuming" or "time-consuming"?

"Time-consuming" is the hyphenated form and is generally preferred, especially when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., a "time-consuming" task). "Time consuming" (without the hyphen) is also acceptable, particularly when used after a verb (e.g., the task is "time consuming").

What makes something "time consuming"?

Activities can be "time consuming" due to various factors such as the complexity of the task, the volume of work involved, the need for precision, or the requirement for multiple steps. It could be considered similar to "demanding of time".