took a bit of time

USAGE SUMMARY

'took a bit of time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or process took more than just a few moments to complete. For example: "It took a bit of time, but eventually I figured out how to fix the leaky faucet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reading the Torah, he said, "took a bit of time" also.

Independent

It took a bit of time, but the relationship is good".

The Guardian - Sport

Even Pep [Guardiola] took a bit of time to get this right.

The Guardian - Sport

Leinster will say that it just took a bit of time to find their rhythm.

The Guardian - Sport

We chipped away at it and it took a bit of time to come.

The Guardian - Sport

Like a classic wine, Bordeaux took a bit of time to come into its own.

The Guardian - Travel

"I didn't know if I had the balls, and I took a bit of time," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

The couple suggest that they wouldn't be crestfallen if the house took a bit of time to sell.

The New York Times

It was just, 'That took a bit of time.' But you're not there - you're always looking forward".

The Guardian

The first series took a bit of time to bed in, but the second hit the ground running.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Without any advertising or public relations, it took a bit of time for the fashion crowd to discover her.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took a bit of time" when you want to convey that an action or process required more than a brief moment, but not necessarily a long duration. It's a good way to express a moderate time investment without being overly specific.

Common error

While "took a bit of time" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives such as "required a certain duration" or "involved a significant period" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a bit of time" functions as a verb phrase indicating the duration required for an action or event. It often modifies a verb or clause to specify that something needed a certain amount of time to occur. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took a bit of time" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something required a certain amount of duration. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general conversation. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase's frequency and acceptance across various sources make it a reliable choice for expressing a moderate time investment. Be mindful to avoid overuse and consider more precise alternatives when greater detail is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required some time

Indicates that something needed a certain amount of time, similar to "took a bit of time" but more formal.

needed a while

Similar to "took a bit of time", but slightly more informal.

involved a period

Implies a more extended duration compared to "took a bit of time".

lasted for some time

Focuses on the duration of the event or process, emphasizing its length.

was a lengthy process

Highlights that the task or activity was prolonged and might have been complex.

stretched out for a while

More informal, suggesting that the duration was longer than expected.

demanded a certain duration

More formal, emphasizing the necessity of the time required.

extended for a period

Similar to "lasted for some time", focusing on the duration.

progressed slowly

Focuses on the pace at which something happened rather than the total time.

occurred over time

Emphasizes that something developed or happened gradually.

FAQs

What does "took a bit of time" mean?

The phrase "took a bit of time" means that something required a certain amount of time, implying it wasn't instantaneous but didn't necessarily take very long. It's a way of saying an action or process needed more than just a few moments.

How can I use "took a bit of time" in a sentence?

You can use "took a bit of time" to describe anything that needed a period to complete. For instance, "It "took a bit of time" to understand the instructions" or "The project "took a bit of time" to finish".

What are some alternatives to "took a bit of time"?

Alternatives include "required some time", "needed a while", or "lasted for some time". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "it took a bit of time"?

Yes, "it "took a bit of time"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources.