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take: time

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

The person is the subject​

Grammar

person + take + time + infinitive

  • I took three hours to get home last night.
  • She takes all day to get out of the bathroom.
  • They took two hours to unload the ferry.

The activity is the subject​

Grammar

activity + take (+ person) + time

  • The drive took me three hours.
  • Gardening takes a lot of time.
  • Unloading the ferry took them two hours.

The object of the activity is the subject​

Grammar

object of activity + take (+ person) + infinitive

  • The ferry took them two hours to unload.
  • This house will take all week to clean.

Preparatory it is the subject​

Grammar

It + take (+ person) + time + infinitive

  • It took me three hours to get home last night.
  • It takes ages to do the shopping.

Before/until is used​

Grammar

It + take (+ person) + time + before/until.

  • It took us six weeks before/until we got the house clean.
  • It took a long time before/until she felt comfortable in her new school.