It took a long time for the kettle to boil.

[Marika33]

Do these mean the same thing? Does any of these sound odd?

• The kettle took a long time to boil.
• It took the kettle a long time to boil.
• It took a long time for the kettle to boil.

 

[Rover_KE]

Do these mean the same thing? Yes. Do any of these sound odd? No

1 The kettle took a long time yo boil.
2. It took the kettle a long time to boil.
3. It took a long time for the kettle to boil.

 

[PeterCW]

I think that native British and Irish speakers would be more likely to use options 1 or 3 but there is nothing about 2 that would sound odd.