give heed

USAGE SUMMARY

"give heed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone should pay close attention to what is being said, or take a certain action. Example: "As the school year comes to a close, give heed to the advice of your teachers and make sure all of your assignments are finished and turned in on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Perhaps more people would give heed unto the word of the Lord if the Lord had a funny blog".

The New Yorker

The whole literature remains the basis of further developments, so that any attempt to formulate a statement of the affirmations of Judaism must, however contemporary it seeks to be, give heed to the scope and variety of speculation and formulation in the past.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally, relax, keep quiet and give heed to your own primal instincts.

BBC

Even if you never heed any other word of gadget advice I give, heed this: Sprint has just opened up the reservation queue for their crazy new multi-screen Android phone, the Kyocera Echo.

TechCrunch

American Muslims ought to give heed.

Huffington Post

It seems I should be able to have some to time to build an emotional shrine to each -- and give heed to their lives.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mr. Prasad is a professor at Cornell and a former senior official of the International Monetary Fund, and his voice too must be given heed.

The New York Times

Yet investor confidence has remained low as new breed witchdoctors and chanters (the New Normal crowd) seizes on every possible negative, blows them wildly up and keeps pushing fixed income and commodities while never giving heed to the structural positives created by ever widening global adoption of our economic system.

Forbes

Acts 8 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 1 Thessalonians 1 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

WikiHow

China has not said whether it supports Ms. Lagarde, but it has joined other big emerging economies in demanding that the I.M.F. and other international financial institutions give greater heed to their demands.

The New York Times

Here, too, Parker keeps the perspective on men; he doesn't visit the cabins where Hark talks with Esther, where the other trusted friends talk with their wives or parents, doesn't suggest at all that the others have any awareness of the dangers or give any heed to their plot's effect on their families.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience. "Give heed" is more appropriate for formal writing or when addressing a group where a degree of respect or seriousness is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "give heed" in casual conversations or informal writing. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give heed" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action. It suggests the act of paying close attention or taking something seriously. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase. The provided examples show it being used to emphasize the importance of considering advice or warnings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give heed" is a grammatically correct verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that means to pay attention or take something seriously. While not as common as alternatives like ""pay attention"" it is a useful expression when formality or emphasis is desired. Primarily found in news articles and encyclopedias, the phrase communicates the importance of considering a particular piece of advice or instruction. It's crucial to avoid overusing "give heed" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone in your writing. Always consider the context and audience to ensure its appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay attention

This alternative is a more common and general way to express the idea of focusing on something.

take notice

This alternative suggests acknowledging something, often something previously overlooked.

bear in mind

This alternative emphasizes remembering or considering something important.

be mindful

This option highlights the importance of being aware and conscious of something.

take heed

Similar to the original phrase, but without the verb "give", it carries a slightly stronger sense of warning.

consider carefully

This alternative stresses the depth of thought and evaluation required.

mind

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way of saying pay attention or take care

be aware of

This focuses on the state of knowing about something, rather than actively listening.

listen up

This alternative is more informal and often used to get someone's immediate attention.

mark well

This alternative sounds old-fashioned and suggests remembering something for future reference.

FAQs

How to use "give heed" in a sentence?

You can use "give heed" to emphasize the importance of paying attention to a warning, advice, or instruction. For example, "You should "pay attention" and give heed to the safety instructions before operating the machine."

What can I say instead of "give heed"?

You can use alternatives like ""pay attention"", "take notice", or "consider carefully" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "give heed" and "take heed"?

Both phrases mean to pay attention and consider carefully. "Give heed" includes the verb "give", which adds a slightly more active sense of offering attention. "Take heed" is a bit more concise and directly implies heeding a warning or advice.

When is it appropriate to use "give heed"?

It is appropriate to use "give heed" in formal writing or when you want to add a tone of seriousness or importance to your message. It's often used when providing important instructions, warnings, or advice that requires careful consideration.