It takes + Infinitive
Expressing how much is needed
It takes X time
| IT TAKES + INFINITIVE | IT TAKES + INDIRECT OBJECT + INFINITIVE |
|---|---|
Use it takes to indicate a quantity of time required for anyone to complete a task (job). The amount may be an estimation (a guess) or an exact, known quantity. |
It takes may be used to indicate a quantity of time required for a particular person to complete a task (job). |
It takes an hour to get ready for school in the morning. |
It takes Jill an hour to
get ready for school in the morning. |
It takes 10 minutes to shower. |
It takes Jill 10 minutes to
put on her makeup. |
It takes 30 minutes to walk to school. |
It takes us 30
minutes to
walk to school. |
It takes just a few seconds to reach the 2nd floor. |
It takes her just a few seconds to reach the 2nd floor. |
It takes X matter
| IT TAKES + INFINITIVE | NO INDIRECT OBJECT |
|---|---|
Use it takes to indicate a quantity of matter (count or noncount) required to complete a task (job). It takes is also used with abstractions: love, patience, knowledge, etc. The amount may be an estimation (a guess) or an exact, known quantity. |
It takes is NOT used with an indirect object before a quantity of matter (solids, liquids or gases) or with abstractions. |
It takes a lot of newspaper to house-train a puppy. |
*It takes anyone a lot of newspaper to house-train a puppy. |
It takes three yards of material to make a dress. |
*It takes you three yards of material to make a dress. |
It takes fifteen gallons of gas to fill the tank of this car. |
*It takes me fifteen gallons of gas to fill the tank of this car. |
It takes a lot of love to
raise children. a noncount abstract noun |
*It takes us a lot of love to raise children. |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
matter (n.) – the material that everything in the universe is made of, including solids, liquids, and gases
Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
*It takes me six eggs to make this cake. |
It takes [me] six eggs to make this cake. An indirect object may be used with time phrases.. |
*It is taking six eggs to make this cake. |
It takes six eggs to make this cake. Progressive tense is not used in this expression. |
*It's take six eggs to make this cake. |
It takes six eggs to make this cake. subject-verb agreement error |
Related page Spelling out numbers
Practice
How Much is Needed
- Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.