Take | English Usage

We can use take to say how much time we need to do something. Different structures are possible.

Person + take + time + infinitive

When the person is the subject, we use the structure person + take + time + infinitive.

  • He took 5 years to finish the project.
  • I took three hours to get home.
  • They took all day to clean the room.

Activity + take + person + time + infinitive

The activity can be the subject

  • The project took him five years to finish.
  • The room took them all day to clean.
  • The ferry took them two hours to unload.

It is also possible to begin these sentences with a preparatory it. The word order is as follows: it + take + person + time + infinitive

  • It took him five years to finish the project.
  • It took them all day to clean the room.

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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