a good take

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good take" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a successful attempt or interpretation of something, often in the context of filmmaking or photography. For example: - "The director was pleased with the actors' performances and said it was a good take." - "After several failed attempts, I finally got a good take of the sunset." - "John's cover of the song was a good take and received a lot of positive feedback." Note that "a good take" is also commonly used colloquially to mean a positive or favorable opinion or reaction to something, as in: - "I watched the new movie and it was a good take on the classic story." - "My boss had a good take on how to improve our work processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

fastFT have a good take.

The Guardian - Business

(Whistleblower.org offers a good take on a similar topic).

The New York Times

(Gady Epstein has a good take on The Economist blog).

The New Yorker

Did we miss a good take from the media or blogosphere?

The Washington Post

"But what I can't do is get a good take when there isn't any.

The New York Times

The highlight is a good take above his head by North.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The school had already seen a good take-up of mindfulness sessions, says deputy head Charlotte Berry, but it has mainly been girls, whereas Champions of the Shengha, which is played on a phone or tablet, has been embraced by both boys and girls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms Walley also observed that the pilot schemes, which are scheduled to run until April 2014, had "not had a good take-up".

BBC

"There's a good take-home message here," said Dorian Traube, an assistant professor at USC's School of Social Work.

Los Angeles Times

It's hard to imagine Blair reacting to threats with anything other than a good take-down, but this season she has barely schemed at all.

Huffington Post

I don't really get a good take-home message from this part.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, consider if "a good take" is the most precise way to describe an action. A more specific term may exist, depending on the context. If an alternate term does exist, use it.

Common error

Avoid using "a good take" when referring to physical objects or concrete actions. It's typically reserved for abstract concepts, performances, or opinions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good take" functions as a noun phrase, with 'good' modifying 'take'. It can refer to a successful attempt at recording something (like a film scene) or a valuable perspective on a topic. Ludwig identifies its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good take" is a versatile phrase used to denote a successful attempt, valuable perspective, or favorable outcome. It is grammatically sound and enjoys widespread usage, especially in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to express approval or agreement. While generally neutral in register, more precise language might be preferred in formal settings. The insights provided by Ludwig help to illustrate its function, purpose, and typical usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a positive perspective

Focuses on the favorable viewpoint offered.

a valuable insight

Emphasizes the depth and usefulness of the understanding.

an astute observation

Highlights the sharpness and intelligence behind the comment.

a sound interpretation

Stresses the accuracy and reliability of the explanation.

a well-considered opinion

Showcases thoughtfulness and deliberation in forming the view.

an excellent rendition

Refers to a high-quality performance or execution, similar to a 'take' in film.

a successful attempt

Focuses on the achievement of a desired outcome.

a proficient recording

Emphasizes the skill and competence in capturing a performance.

a favorable reception

Highlights the positive response received.

an encouraging outcome

Focuses on the positive result or development.

FAQs

How can I use "a good take" in a sentence?

You can use "a good take" to describe a successful recording, performance, or a valuable perspective. For example, "The director was happy with the first take, declaring it "a good take"" or "That's "a good take" on the current economic situation".

What's a synonym for "a good take" when describing an opinion?

Depending on the context, alternatives for describing an opinion could include "a positive perspective", "a valuable insight", or "an astute observation".

When would "a successful attempt" be better than "a good take"?

"A successful attempt" is preferable when you're focusing on the achievement of a goal or completion of a task, rather than evaluating the quality of a performance or perspective. For example, "Their mission was "a successful attempt"", not "Their mission was "a good take"".

Is "a good take" formal or informal?

"A good take" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though in highly formal writing, more precise language might be preferred.