I take that back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I take that back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone wants to retract or withdraw a statement they previously made, often because they realize it was incorrect or inappropriate. Example: "After thinking it over, I take that back; my earlier comment was unfair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I take that back".

The New York Times

So I take that back.

Cornell University

Excuse me, I take that back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Oh, I take that back.

The New York Times - Sports

I take that back; Mr. Ross probably would.

The New York Times - Arts

No! Can I take that back?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"To those who supported me because they support peace, I take that backing as an immense challenge," Santos said.

The Guardian

"I really wish I could have taken that back".

The New York Times

I took that back to Cabrera.

Los Angeles Times

I wish I could take that back".

The New Yorker

"The fourth inning, I wish I could take that back," Kuroda said through his interpreter.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I take that back" when you genuinely realize a statement was incorrect or inappropriate. This shows thoughtfulness and willingness to correct errors.

Common error

Avoid using "I take that back" sarcastically or too frequently, as it can diminish its impact and sincerity. Reserve it for situations where you truly need to retract something significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I take that back" functions as an interjectory expression used to immediately retract a previous statement. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is commonly used in both speech and writing to correct oneself or disavow a prior assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I take that back" is a versatile phrase used to retract a previous statement, indicating a change of mind or correction. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "I retract that statement". Be mindful of overuse to maintain sincerity, and use it when you genuinely need to correct something you said.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I retract that statement

Formal way to withdraw a statement.

I withdraw that

Directly removes the previous statement.

Forget what I just said

Informal way of asking someone to disregard a previous statement.

I didn't mean that

Indicates the speaker regrets the statement.

Let me rephrase that

Indicates a need to express something more clearly.

I misspoke

Admits an error in speech.

I stand corrected

Acknowledges that new information proves the initial statement was wrong.

That's not quite right

More subtle way of indicating the previous statement was inaccurate.

Scratch that

Very informal way to retract something said.

I was wrong

Directly admits fault.

FAQs

How can I use "I take that back" in a sentence?

You can use "I take that back" to retract something you've said, like: "I thought this plan would fail, but "I take that back"; it's working better than expected."

What's a more formal alternative to "I take that back"?

For a more formal situation, you could use phrases like "I retract that statement" or "I withdraw that", which are more suitable in professional or academic settings.

When is it appropriate to use "I take that back"?

It's appropriate to use "I take that back" when you realize that something you said was incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate and you want to correct the record.

Is there a difference between "I take that back" and "I stand corrected"?

"I take that back" is used to retract something you said, while "I stand corrected" acknowledges that someone else has pointed out your error and you accept their correction.