act on those things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act on those things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking action based on specific items, ideas, or issues that have been previously mentioned or identified. Example: "After reviewing the feedback from our clients, we need to act on those things to improve our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And so, part of what I pray for is the strength and the wisdom to be able to act on those things that I can control.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I am going to try and show people, between now and the next election, that a Conservative-only government will be able to act on these things further and faster and get more done in terms of turning our country round," he said in a swipe at his Liberal Democrat coalition partners.

Independent

"Not only do we have to fix what the Bush administration did, but we have to leapfrog further, and act quickly on those things.

Huffington Post

"Sometimes we just need a simple reminder to act on the things we want to act on," Shankar said.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, they are failing to act on the things that they can control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even the involuntary capture of attention by perceptually salient stimuli should, Wu thinks, be understood as involving a kind of readiness to act on the things attended (op cit, §3).

SEP

But only if you act on the things you learn.

Huffington Post

"It's the discovery in quantum theory, that if there is some thing, which causes media commentators to accuse the authorities of overreacting to the thing, then in a parallel timeline where the authorities did not act on the thing, the metaphysical counterpart of the commentator lambasts them for that as well".

The Guardian - Business

"Other things we cannot act on," he added, like a telephone conversation by a person that had been intercepted and taped.

The New York Times

It also recommends that we give up the right of nature to judge and act on all things for ourselves in favor of a civil authority instituting a common standard that will coordinate our conflicting passions.

SEP

I don't have to understand everything in order to act on some things.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "act on those things", ensure that the "things" you are referring to have been clearly defined or mentioned previously in the context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what you are acting upon.

Common error

Avoid using "act on those things" without a clear antecedent. For example, instead of saying "We need to act on those things", specify what "those things" are: "We need to act on the feedback from the customer surveys".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act on those things" functions as a call to action, urging the listener or reader to take specific steps or decisions based on previously mentioned elements. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "act on those things" is a grammatically correct phrase used to encourage action based on previously identified elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in news, science, and general discourse. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always ensure the "things" you're referring to are well-defined to prevent ambiguity. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "take action on those matters" or "respond to those issues". Avoiding vague references will enhance your writing and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take action on those matters

Replaces "act" with "take action" and "things" with "matters", implying a more formal or serious context.

respond to those issues

Substitutes "act" with "respond" and "things" with "issues", focusing on addressing problems or concerns.

address those concerns

Similar to "respond to those issues", but with a stronger emphasis on directly tackling the concerns.

deal with those items

Replaces "act" with "deal with" and "things" with "items", suggesting a process of handling or managing specific elements.

implement those measures

Focuses on putting specific actions or plans into effect based on the "things" in question.

execute those plans

Suggests carrying out pre-defined plans or strategies related to the mentioned "things".

follow through on those ideas

Emphasizes the completion or continuation of actions based on initial ideas or concepts.

make decisions based on those factors

Highlights the decision-making aspect, where the "things" are the influential factors.

operate based on those principles

Implies that actions are guided by a set of core principles represented by "those things".

react to those events

Indicates responding to specific occurrences or incidents, rather than proactively acting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "act on those things" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "take action on those matters", "respond to those issues", or "implement those measures". These options provide a more sophisticated tone.

What does it mean to "act on those things"?

To "act on those things" means to take action or make decisions based on specific items, ideas, considerations, or factors that have been previously mentioned or identified. It implies a direct response or action related to those specific elements.

Is it correct to say "act on these things" instead of "act on those things"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "These things" refers to items that are nearby or immediately present, while "those things" refers to items that are farther away or have been mentioned earlier in the conversation. The choice depends on the context and what you are referring to.

Can "act on those things" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "act on those things" can be used in academic writing, especially when referring to data, findings, or recommendations. However, always ensure that "those things" are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. If formality is paramount, consider alternatives like "implement those measures" or "address those concerns".