take a check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take a check' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it for example, if you are telling someone how to pay for a service or good: "You can take a check, cash, or credit card for payment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Nobody's going to take a check from you, because they don't know you.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't want to take a check from Michael Milken, thank you very much," he said.

The New York Times

She hurried out to the back part of the store and asked if she were allowed to take a check.

The New Yorker

But in a recession, so long as you spend the money right away, it's not necessarily selfish to take a check you don't need.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You've got to pick your times on when you need to fit one in there and when it's safer to take a check down," Rees said.

The New York Times - Sports

He was told that if he expected the EU to do that, he needed to take a check on the realities of the world.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"So I took a check in, and when I walked out I felt bad.

The New York Times - Science

On the 15th of each month Ms. Andrade takes a check for the mortgage to the bank.

The New York Times

A comedy by Brian Dykstra about a woman who must choose between taking a check or saving the environment.

The New York Times

A few years ago the head of the Jewish Agency for Israel refused to be photographed taking a check from Eckstein.

The New York Times - Magazine

Imaginary story of a man taking a check to a bank to be cashed, where he found one of the vice-presidents throwing dice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering payment options, be clear: "We can take a check, credit card, or cash."

Common error

Avoid using "take a check" when you mean "write a check" or "give a check". The phrase implies receiving, not issuing, the check.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a check" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of receiving or accepting a check. It is typically used in contexts involving financial transactions or verifications, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a check" is a commonly used phrase that means to receive or accept a check, typically as a form of payment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts, as well as in formal business settings. While ""accept a check"" is a close synonym, "take a check" is widely understood and accepted. Be mindful to use it when referring to receiving a check, not issuing one. The phrase is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for a range of professional and general communications. The frequency of examples in Ludwig indicates it's a common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept a check

Focuses on the action of accepting a check as a form of payment or verification.

receive a check

Emphasizes the act of getting a check, often implying it's a payment.

take payment by check

Specifies the method of payment being used.

cash a check

Highlights the action of converting a check into cash.

deposit a check

Focuses on putting a check into a bank account.

process a check

Describes the administrative action of handling a check.

clear a check

Refers to the bank's action of verifying and transferring funds.

conduct a review

In the context of 'taking a check' on something, this refers to evaluating or inspecting something.

perform an assessment

Similar to 'conducting a review', this emphasizes evaluating a situation.

undertake an inspection

Focuses on a detailed examination or scrutiny of something.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take a check"?

To "take a check" means to receive a check as a form of payment or to accept it for some other purpose. It implies that you are the recipient, not the issuer, of the check.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "take a check"?

Use "take a check" when you want to indicate that you are willing to accept a check as payment or are in the process of receiving one. For example, "Will you "accept a check" for the service?"

What are some alternatives to saying "take a check"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include ""accept a check"", "receive a check", or "cash a check". The best choice depends on whether you are focusing on the acceptance, the receiving, or the cashing of the check.

Is it better to say "take a check" or "accept a check"?

Both "take a check" and ""accept a check"" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "Accept a check" might sound slightly more formal in some contexts, but "take a check" is perfectly acceptable in most situations.