time-consuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'time-consuming' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that requires a lot of time and effort, or that takes a long time to do. Example sentence: "Completing this research project was extremely time-consuming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact 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

It's all very time-consuming".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task as "time-consuming", provide context on why it takes so long. For example, specify the complexity, the number of steps involved, or the level of detail required.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "time-consuming" without explaining why. This provides little value to the reader. Instead, elaborate on the specific aspects that make it so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time-consuming" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe tasks, processes, or activities that require a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time-consuming" serves as an adjective denoting tasks or activities demanding significant time investment. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability, appearing frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it’s beneficial to provide context to explain why a task is "time-consuming" to enhance clarity and informativeness. Alternatives include "lengthy", "laborious", and "time-intensive" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-intensive

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the high amount of time needed.

lengthy

Focuses on the duration of the activity, emphasizing its extended period.

laborious

Highlights the effort and work involved, suggesting a task is difficult and takes time.

tedious

Emphasizes the monotonous and boring aspect of the activity, making it seem to take longer.

arduous

Focuses on the difficulty and strenuous effort involved, implying it takes a lot of time.

demanding

Stresses the requirements of the task, implying it needs significant time and resources.

protracted

Suggests an activity is prolonged and extends beyond what is typical or expected.

extensive

Indicates a wide-ranging task that covers many aspects and thus requires more time.

drawn-out

Similar to protracted, highlighting that the activity lasts longer than necessary or desired.

challenging

Highlights the complexity and difficulties of the task that makes the time needed greater.

FAQs

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

You can use "time-consuming" to describe tasks or activities that require a significant amount of time. For example: "Completing the report was a "time-consuming" process".

What are some alternatives to saying "time-consuming"?

Alternatives include "lengthy", "laborious", or "time-intensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a task "time-consuming"?

A task can be "time-consuming" due to its complexity, the number of steps involved, the need for meticulous detail, or unexpected delays. The defining factor is that it demands a significant investment of time relative to other tasks.

Is it better to avoid "time-consuming" tasks?

Not necessarily. While it's important to manage time effectively, some tasks are inherently "time-consuming" because they require careful attention and thoroughness. The key is to prioritize and allocate sufficient time for these tasks, rather than avoiding them altogether.