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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it takes existing
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "it takes existing" is not correct in English as it is incomplete and lacks clarity.
It could be used in a context where you are discussing the necessity of something that already exists, but it needs additional information to make sense. Example: "In order to improve the system, it takes existing resources and knowledge to implement effective changes."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(19)
it takes data
needs data
it takes dates
it takes risks
customer data
market research
it takes values
it takes hours
it took ages
it takes forever
it takes days
it is a lengthy process
it takes long
it takes resources
it means forever
it takes an eternity
it requires a considerable amount of time
it takes longer
it takes ages
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
The key to this new technology is quantum physics, which allows subatomic particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously and therefore perform several tasks in the same time it takes existing computers to make a single calculation.
Science & Research
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
"So I took existing products and made them better, more useful".
News & Media
Prison takes existing criminals off the streets.
News & Media
Comparative effectiveness research takes existing treatments and compares them to determine which are the most effective.
News & Media
Apple has shown in the past - notably with the iPhone and iPad - that it can take existing technologies and make them far more attractive and easy to use.
News & Media
According to Iyengar, it is difficult to take existing information from the digital music industry and conduct meaningful analysis on the relationship between price and demand because most companies rarely change their prices.
News & Media
It argues rivals are taking existing structures — such as the job board model or the staffing agency model — and optimizing them for mobile, whereas inploi claims it's aiming for a more radical rethinking of how recruitment is done in this sector.
News & Media
"We are going to take existing infrastructure and repair it".
News & Media
Nowadays we just take existing technology and revamp it".
News & Media
On mobile, that means taking existing Conductor data and making it easy to search and understand.
News & Media
Why not take existing archetypes and just refine them?
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing how a new system or product builds upon something that already exists, clarify the relationship between the new and the existing elements to enhance clarity. Avoid incomplete expressions such as "it takes existing".
Common error
Avoid using "it takes existing" without specifying what action 'it' performs regarding the existing element. Always provide context to clarify the nature of the interaction or transformation.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it takes existing" functions as an incomplete clause that suggests a relationship between an unspecified subject ("it") and something that already exists. However, without a clarifying verb or object, the phrase lacks a clear grammatical function. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered incorrect due to its incompleteness.
Frequent in
Science
30%
News & Media
30%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
10%
Wiki
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "it takes existing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its incomplete structure. As Ludwig AI indicates, it requires additional information to clarify the action being performed on the existing element. While the individual words are neutral, the phrase's ambiguity reduces its effectiveness in communication. Alternatives like "it utilizes existing" or "it leverages existing" offer more precise and grammatically sound ways to express similar ideas. To avoid confusion, it's best to clarify the intended relationship between the subject and the existing component by adding a verb and object to complete the sentence.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it utilizes existing
Replaces "takes" with "utilizes", emphasizing the act of making use of something available.
it leverages existing
Replaces "takes" with "leverages", implying strategic use of something to gain an advantage.
it makes use of existing
A more formal way of saying "it uses existing".
it builds upon existing
Suggests that something new is being created based on a foundation that already exists.
it depends on existing
Focuses on the reliance on existing resources or systems.
it incorporates existing
Emphasizes the inclusion of something that already exists into a new structure or system.
it draws from existing
Highlights the extraction or derivation from existing resources.
it appropriates existing
Implies the act of taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.
it capitalizes on existing
Focuses on exploiting existing opportunities or resources for gain.
it benefits from existing
Highlights the advantages gained from something already in place.
FAQs
How can I properly use the phrase "it takes existing" in a sentence?
The phrase "it takes existing" is grammatically incomplete. You should clarify what "it" does with the existing element, such as "it takes advantage of existing resources" or "it modifies existing code".
What phrases can I use instead of "it takes existing" to describe leveraging current resources?
Alternatives include "it utilizes existing", "it leverages existing", or "it builds upon existing", depending on the specific context.
Is it correct to say "it takes existing" without adding a verb or object?
No, "it takes existing" is not grammatically correct on its own. It requires a verb or object to complete the thought, such as "it takes existing data and analyzes it".
What's the difference between "it takes existing technology" and "it uses existing technology"?
"It uses existing technology" is a general statement about employing current technology. "It takes existing technology" is incomplete and requires more context to explain how the technology is being handled or transformed.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested