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it can take vs it may take

Both "it can take" and "it may take" are correct and commonly used in English. They are interchangeable in many contexts, but there are subtle differences in meaning. "It can take" implies a higher degree of certainty or ability, while "it may take" suggests a possibility or likelihood.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

it can take

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate the ability or certainty of something happening or taking a certain amount of time.

Examples:

It can take some time to get used to the new software.
It can take a while for the paint to dry.
It can take up to two weeks for delivery.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because of the complicated techniques involved in bullfighting, it can take up to 10 years to become a fully-trained matador.
But in my experience, it can take survivors years to come forward.
When there's nerve damage, it can take up to a year.
Even then it can take a long time.
Sometimes it can take centuries to figure it out.
You know, it can take up to seven minutes to strangle someone to death.
Sometimes it can take three days for your evil to be spent.
Look, the bomb squad has been notified, but it can take up to three hours for them to give us the all clear.
Except on Facebook, but even then, it can take years.
In cases like this involving prolonged legal investigation, it can take some time to settle out.
Now, because of global warming, resource extraction, and human noise, among many other factors, it can take up to 1,000 hours or more to capture the same thing.
I don't see how it can take away.
There's no telling how far it can take you.
Sometimes it can take a while.
I heard it can take three days for an impaled man to die.
I heard it can take a while.
And it can take video the entire time right to your phone.
This message is directed to the European Commission so that it can take the necessary initiatives.
However, given that these measures appear to concern loss-making activities, the Commission has doubts about whether it can take them into account.
Once the agreement has been signed by both parties, the payment itself usually takes less than one month, but it can take longer.

Alternatives:

it is able to take
it has the capacity to take
it has the potential to take
it is capable of taking
it is likely to take

it may take

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate a possibility or likelihood of something happening or taking a certain amount of time.

Examples:

It may take a few days for the results to come in.
It may take longer than expected to finish the project.
It may take some time to find a solution.

Show examples from the web [+]

Yes, but it may take a few days.
But if he's half the man Kivu is, it may take no time at all.
Now it may take a while just to get back what you owe.
I mean, it may take a little longer, but I don't want to graduate with debt.
And it may take a couple days.
CENTCOM has agreed to look for them, but it may take a few weeks to track anything down.
I'm stand to rebuild, now I'm powered up again, but it may take a while honey.
MAN Now, the shampoo will kill them, but it may take a couple of tries.
Now it may take a while just to get back what you owe.
I pushed, but it may take a day or two.
If you don't, it may take months to find another suitable site.
We're having a pretty busy night, so it may take a while.
As you say, it's Thanksgiving, and there's the time difference so it may take time to make contact.
If you lost another route, it may take we find for you.
Waze is saying it may take over an hour.
We will follow every possible lead... wherever it may take us.
it may take its decision within two months of
I ran it through a high-res filter, so it may take a few seconds to render.
We're being told it may take weeks before... we get the city inspectors back down here to approve these site changes.
Anyway, it may take a while, but I will do what it takes to make this work.

Alternatives:

it might take
it could take
it is possible that it will take
it is likely to take
it is probable that it will take

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