It takes a lot of time. vs It takes up a lot of time.

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'It takes a lot of time' simply means that something requires a significant amount of time to complete. On the other hand, 'It takes up a lot of time' implies that something is occupying or consuming a large amount of time.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 3908 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It takes a lot of time."

This phrase is used to indicate that something requires a significant amount of time to complete.

Examples:

Studying for the exam takes a lot of time.
Cooking a homemade meal from scratch takes a lot of time.
Learning a new language takes a lot of time.
Writing a novel takes a lot of time.
Building a house takes a lot of time.

Show examples from the web [+]

You know, it takes a lot of time.
And it takes a lot of time.
It is very difficult for me to go against the financial rules, which is why it takes a lot of time.
We're understand that there are forms and home visits and that it takes a lot of time.
Got it. I know, it takes a lot of time.
You know, it takes a lot of time.
He cared in a very different manner, but it takes a lot of time to understand that.
It'll take a lot of time to prepare.
It's heavy-going and takes a lot of time.
My public duties take a lot of time.
Planning a funeral takes a lot of time.
- Of course, that will take a lot of time.
Also, nowadays you got so much to choose from, finding just the right clip can take a lot of time.
It was either a fiancée of faking your death, which takes a lot of time.
and that takes a lot of time.
Doris tends to take up a lot of time.
But you told me yourself that you do take a lot of time off.
Listen, I don't want to take a lot of your time.
You may not care about those things, but, believe me, they take up a lot of time.
But being a doctor, that must take up a lot of time.

Alternatives:

It requires a lot of time.
It demands a lot of time.
It needs a lot of time.
It consumes a lot of time.
It involves a lot of time.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It takes up a lot of time."

This phrase is used to indicate that something is occupying or consuming a large amount of time.

Examples:

His new hobby takes up a lot of time.
The daily commute takes up a lot of time.
The project at work takes up a lot of time.
Volunteering at the shelter takes up a lot of time.
Managing a large team takes up a lot of time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Doris tends to take up a lot of time.
You may not care about those things, but, believe me, they take up a lot of time.
But being a doctor, that must take up a lot of time.
Well, being a good teacher can really take up a lot of time.
Well, he certainly takes up a lot of time.
The votes on the legislative drafts take up rather a lot of time.
A political campaign takes up a lot of time.
Now, this must be very difficult for you, So we won't take up a lot of your time.
So we won't take up a lot of your time.
If you haven't noticed, cleaning a mansion takes up a lot of my time.
Digging through your belly button seems to take up a lot of your time.
I would ask for clarification as otherwise I will not be able to sort these things out in writing but will have to rise to speak as some other colleagues have, but that takes up a lot of time.
I'D'VE BEEN HERE FASTER, BUT SELLING YOUR BODY TAKES UP A LOT OF TIME.
It takes up a lot of my time, but I find it fulfilling.
Unnecessary regulations take up a lot of time and cost a lot of money.
These commitments, which take up a lot of time for small businesspeople, impede the much-needed concentration of efforts.
My colleagues have paid tribute to everyone involved, and I do not want to take up a lot of time repeating that.
This year I was new at school and... that takes up a lot of time and...
You know, it takes a lot of time.
And it takes a lot of time.

Alternatives:

It occupies a lot of time.
It consumes a lot of time.
It uses a lot of time.
It requires a lot of time.
It demands a lot of time.

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It takes a lot of time. vs It takes up a lot of time.