Takes Time vs. Take Time – Which is Correct?
“Takes time” and “take time” are both correct. Use “takes time” when the subject is singular, as in “It takes time.” Use “take time” with plural subjects, I, you, or we, and in commands or infinitive phrases, as in “Take time to reflect” and “They take time to decide.”
Takes Time or Take Time – Which Is Correct?
Both “takes time” and “take time” are correct, but they agree with different subjects. “Takes” is the third-person singular form of the verb take, so it follows subjects such as it, he, she, or a singular noun. “Take” is used with plural subjects, I, you, and we. It is also used after to and in commands.
For example, write “The repair takes time” because the repair is singular. Write “The repairs take time” because the repairs is plural. The expression usually means that an activity requires a period of time to complete.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “it takes” test. If you could replace the subject with it, use takes: “It takes time.” If the subject is I, you, we, they, or a plural noun, use take: “They take time.” Also remember that commands use the base form: “Take time to rest.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| takes time | Verb phrase | Requires time with a singular subject | Learning a language takes time. |
| take time | Verb phrase | Requires time with a plural or non-third-person singular subject; also used in commands | Good decisions take time. |
How to Use Takes Time
Takes time is used when the subject is third-person singular in the present tense. The subject may be a singular noun, a singular pronoun such as he, she, or it, or a gerund phrase functioning as a singular subject. The phrase is common in both casual and formal English.
It frequently appears in the construction it takes time to + verb. In this pattern, it is the grammatical subject, while the infinitive phrase explains the activity that requires time.
Example 1: It takes time to build trust.
Example 2: The application process takes time.
Example 3: Recovering from an injury takes time and patience.
What Are the Different Forms of Takes?
Takes is the present-tense, third-person singular form of the irregular verb take. The other principal forms are take, took, and taken. The present participle is taking.
- Present: I take, you take, he takes, she takes, it takes, we take, they take
- Past: took
- Past participle: taken, as in “She has taken her time.”
- Present participle: taking, as in “He is taking time to reconsider.”
Etymology of the Word Takes
Takes comes from take, an Old Norse-influenced verb that entered Middle English from the Old Norse taka. English added the standard third-person singular ending -s, producing takes. The verb has developed many meanings, including receiving, carrying, choosing, requiring, and consuming time.
How to Use Take Time
Take time is used with I, you, we, and plural subjects in the present tense. It is also the base form used after to, after modal verbs such as can and will, and in direct commands or suggestions.
The phrase can describe duration, as in “Projects take time,” or it can encourage someone to use time deliberately, as in “Take time to review your work.” The expression works naturally in casual, professional, academic, and formal writing.
Example 1: These changes take time to implement.
Example 2: We take time to check every detail.
Example 3: Take time to consider all the options.
What Are the Different Forms of Take?
Take is the base form of the irregular verb. Its past tense is took, its past participle is taken, and its present participle is taking. The form takes is used only with a third-person singular subject in the present tense.
- Base form: take, as in “They take time to prepare.”
- Third-person singular: takes, as in “Preparation takes time.”
- Past: took, as in “The project took time.”
- Past participle: taken, as in “The project has taken time.”
- Present participle: taking, as in “The project is taking time.”
Etymology of the Word Take
Take developed from Middle English taken and was strongly influenced by Old Norse taka. It replaced several older English verbs and acquired a wide range of meanings. The sense “require a period of time” developed from the broader idea of something using or consuming a resource.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject-verb agreement and verb forms makes the difference between takes time and take time easy to recognize.
- Subject-verb agreement: A present-tense verb must match its subject. A singular third-person subject takes takes, while plural subjects and the pronouns I, you, and we take take.
- Base-form verbs: The base form take follows to, modal verbs, and auxiliary verbs in many constructions. It also appears in commands such as “Take your time.”
- Infinitive phrases: In “It takes time to learn,” to learn is an infinitive phrase explaining what requires time.
- Singular and plural subjects: A singular activity such as planning uses takes, while plural activities such as plans use take.
Examples from Media and Literature
The two forms appear regularly in storytelling, journalism, film dialogue, and advice writing. These examples reflect common real-world patterns:
- Novels and memoirs: A narrator may write, “It takes time to understand what happened,” using takes because the subject is it.
- Film dialogue: A character might say, “Take time to think before you answer,” using the base form because the sentence is a command.
- News reporting: An article may state, “Major infrastructure projects take time to complete,” using take because projects is plural.
- Biographies: A writer could observe, “Building a lasting career takes time,” because the gerund phrase building a lasting career is singular.
- Documentaries: A speaker may explain, “We take time to verify every source,” because the subject is we.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence: takes or take.
- It ______ time to master a new skill.
- Good results ______ time and consistent effort.
- She ______ time to organize her notes.
- ______ time to read the instructions carefully.
- We ______ time to review each proposal.
Answer Key
- takes — The subject is it.
- take — The subject good results is plural.
- takes — The subject she is third-person singular.
- Take — This is a command, so it uses the base form.
- take — The subject we uses the base form.
Takes Time Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Requires time | Directly states that an activity needs a period of time. |
| Needs time | A clear, straightforward alternative suitable for everyday writing. |
| Is time-consuming | Describes something that uses a significant amount of time. |
| Cannot be rushed | Emphasizes that an activity must proceed gradually or carefully. |
Take Time Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Require time | Means that a person or activity needs time for completion. |
| Spend time | Means to use time doing a particular activity. |
| Allow time | Means to reserve enough time for an activity or event. |
| Take your time | An expression encouraging someone not to hurry. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it correct to say “it takes time”?
Yes. “It takes time” is correct because it is a third-person singular subject, so the verb must be takes.
Question 2: Should I write “these things takes time” or “these things take time”?
Write “these things take time.” The subject these things is plural, so it takes the base form take.
Question 3: Is “take time to” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Take time to” is correct in both commands and general statements. For example, “Take time to rest” is a command, while “We take time to rest” is a statement with the subject we.
Conclusion
Takes time and take time are both correct expressions. Use takes with singular third-person subjects, such as “It takes time” or “Practice takes time.” Use take with I, you, we, they, plural nouns, infinitives, and commands. Pro Tip: Correct subject-verb agreement strengthens your professional reputation by making your writing appear careful and polished.
