Cool MateDon't take too long vs Make it quick
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't take too long
Top 2,000 (common)
Make it quick
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Don't take too longMost common: Don't take too long
| Don't take too long | Make it quick | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt teɪk tuː lɒŋ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt teɪk tu lɔŋ// | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt kwɪk//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt kwɪk// |
| Meaning | Don’t spend too much time. | Do something fast. |
| Example | Don't take too long; we need to leave soon. | Can you make it quick? I'm in a hurry. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | take too long, don't take long, take longer than expected, take your time, take a while | make it quick and easy, make it quick for me, make it quick before, make it quick and simple |
| Common mistakes | Misusing 'too' for 'to' in 'take too long'., Omitting 'don't' and saying 'take long'., Using a formal tone when it's more conversational. | Confused with 'make it fast' - 'quick' is preferred in casual speech., Not using it as a standalone phrase., Overusing in polite contexts where more formal requests are appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to advise someone to hurry. It may be considered dismissive if said too harshly. | Used in casual conversations to request speed; typically not used in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't take too long vs Make it quick
What's the difference between Don't take too long and Make it quick?
Don't take too long: Don’t spend too much time. Make it quick: Do something fast.
Which is more formal: Don't take too long and Make it quick?
Don't take too long is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Don't take too long and Make it quick?
Don't take too long is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't take too long: Don't take too long; we need to leave soon. Make it quick: Can you make it quick? I'm in a hurry.
Can I use Don't take too long and Make it quick interchangeably?
Not always. Don't take too long and Make it quick are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.