English grammar
It takes (them) three hours: how long a journey takes
Ask and say how long a journey takes.
From the scene How long will it take them?
In short
To say how long a trip lasts, use take: it took them three hours. Add to + verb for the activity.
Your turn
Which one goes with a question with what for?
Options: it took them three hours · how long will it take them · how long did it take them to get out of Madrid
Show answer
a question with what for → how long did it take them to get out of Madrid
How it works
To say how long something lasts, English uses it + take + the time: it took them three hours.
Good to know
The people go straight after take, with no preposition. To say what the time is for, add to + verb: how long did it take them to get out of Madrid?
Good to know
For the future, say it'll take or how long will it take?
the past it took them three hours
Tomás
It took them three hours. The roads are really busy this weekend.
Tardaron tres horas. Este fin de semana hay mucho tráfico.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). The roads are really busy this weekend.
Options: How long did it take them to get out of Madrid · How long will it take them · It took them three hours
Show answer
Tomás
It took them three hours. The roads are really busy this weekend.
Tardaron tres horas. Este fin de semana hay mucho tráfico.
a question with what for how long did it take them to get out of Madrid
Ramón
And how long did it take them to get out of Madrid?
¿Y cuánto tardaron en salir de Madrid?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank)?
Options: how long did it take them to get out of Madrid · it took them three hours · how long will it take them
Show answer
Ramón
And how long did it take them to get out of Madrid?
¿Y cuánto tardaron en salir de Madrid?
a question about the future how long will it take them
Ramón
At that rate, how long will it take them?
A ese ritmo, ¿cuánto van a tardar en llegar?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
At that rate, (blank)?
Options: how long did it take them to get out of Madrid · how long will it take them · it took them three hours
Show answer
Ramón
At that rate, how long will it take them?
A ese ritmo, ¿cuánto van a tardar en llegar?
the future it'll take them two days
Tomás
It'll take them two days: today they're only doing the first stage.
Van a tardar dos días: hoy solo hacen la primera etapa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank): today they're only doing the first stage.
Options: How long did it take them to get out of Madrid · It'll take them two days · It took them three hours
Show answer
Tomás
It'll take them two days: today they're only doing the first stage.
Van a tardar dos días: hoy solo hacen la primera etapa.
Common mistake
Not took or last here. After did, the base verb.
And how long did it take them to get out of Madrid?
¿Y cuánto tardaron en salir de Madrid?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the past | it took them three hours |
|---|---|
| a question with what for | how long did it take them to get out of Madrid |
| a question about the future | how long will it take them |
| the future | it'll take them two days |
More lines from the story
- TomásWhat? A tractor caught up with them on the open road?¿Cómo? ¿Un tractor los alcanzó en plena carretera?
- RamónThat's how you drive! Finally, someone who respects the limit.¡Así se conduce! Por fin alguien que respeta el límite.