0
Stephenlearner Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

He took ten minutes solving the problem

Hi,


Are the two sentences correct? If so, what is their difference?

He took ten minutes solving the problem

He spent ten minutes solving the problem.


Thank you very much.

  

Top answer

First sentence is incorrect. If you consult a dictionary, you should find that took (take) and spent both mean to use up or consume. But take must be followed with a to .

— MountainHiker

  • First sentence is incorrect.
  • If you consult a dictionary, you should find that took (take) and spent both mean to use up or consume.
  • But take must be followed with a to .
  • Have a look at the Cambridge Online Dictionary for take.
  • Phrases with take : take time (to do something) He took ten minutes to solve the problem.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0

First sentence is incorrect.

If you consult a dictionary, you should find that took (take) and spent both mean to use up or consume.

But take must be followed with a to. Have a look at the Cambridge Online Dictionary for take.

Phrases with take:

take time

0
0
stephenlearnerHe spent ten minutes solving the problem.

This is OK, but you probably actually mean "It took him ten minutes to solve the problem."

stephenlearnerHe took ten minutes solving the problem

This is odd. You mean "It took him ten minutes to solve the problem."

0

Related Questions