will not take long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will not take long" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something will be completed in a short amount of time. Example: "The meeting will not take long, so please be patient while we discuss the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It will not take long.

The Guardian - Sport

It will not take long to find out.

The Economist

If he doesn't, the pushing will not take long.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will not take long for little Leo Rose to appreciate that.

Independent

The gap left by Google will not take long to brim with hopeful upstarts.

The Economist

It will not take long for Zuma to feel threatened by Ramaphosa.

The Guardian

It will not take long to put Ms. Napolitano's new thinking to the test.

The New York Times

It will not take long to determine whether the Knicks have learned their lesson.

The New York Times - Sports

If the offense stalls, it will not take long for observers to wistfully recall Johnson's exploits.

The New York Times - Sports

It will not take long, he claims, for the proceeds to be substituted or diverted to the government's preferred ends.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Done correctly this should not take long and will allow you some early cross selling wins.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will not take long" to assure someone that a task or process won't require a significant amount of their time, setting realistic expectations and reducing potential anxiety.

Common error

Avoid overusing "will not take long" when the task inherently requires patience or precision. Overpromising speed can undermine trust if the final result appears rushed or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not take long" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and indicating the expected duration of an action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples provided showcase its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will not take long" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that something will be completed quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific, business, and other domains. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality required and avoid overusing it in situations demanding patience or precision. To enhance your writing, explore alternatives such as "will be quick" or "won't be long" for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

won't be long

Uses the contraction "won't" for a more informal tone.

will be quick

Replaces the more descriptive "take long" with a simpler adjective.

will be brief

Substitutes "quick" with "brief", focusing on brevity.

will be over quickly

Adds emphasis on the completion of the event or task.

will happen soon

Shifts focus from the duration of an activity to the imminence of an event.

will not be lengthy

Replaces "long" with "lengthy", providing a slightly more formal alternative.

will occur shortly

Replaces "soon" with "shortly", conveying a similar sense of immediacy in a slightly more formal tone.

will be a snap

Introduces an idiomatic expression meaning something is very easy and quick.

will be a breeze

Similar to "will be a snap", this idiomatic expression also implies ease and speed.

will be done in a jiffy

Employs the informal "in a jiffy" to convey a very short amount of time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "will not take long" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "will be brief", "will occur shortly", or "will not be lengthy".

What's a more casual way to say "will not take long"?

In casual contexts, you can say "won't be long", "will be a snap", or "will be a breeze".

Is it grammatically correct to say "will not take long time"?

While understandable, it's more common and grammatically sound to omit "time" and simply say "will not take long". The phrase already implies a duration of time.

When is it best to use "will not take long" versus "will be quick"?

"Will not take long" focuses on the duration of an activity, whereas "will be quick" emphasizes the speed of the process itself. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the time investment or the efficiency of the action.