take a measure

USAGE SUMMARY

'take a measure' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a step you are taking to tackle a problem, usually one that has some sort of tangible outcome. For example, "To increase employee satisfaction, we will take a measure to implement more flexible working hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Every day we take a measure," she said.

The New York Times

"People want to take a measure of a candidate," he said.

The New York Times

What's needed are better interviews interviews that take a measure of candidates' emotional intelligence.

Harvard Business Review

Some Administration welfare experts professed to take a measure of comfort from the day's events.

The New York Times

And silently, as friends do, each uses the other to take a measure of her own life.

The Washington Post

Just as each candidate must take a measure of his own race, the party's response is also driven by circumstances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

One Microsoft rival agrees that the company is wise to take a measured approach.

MIT Technology Review

It's not wide open, we take a measured approach.

TechCrunch

What we need the Independent Commission on Banking to do is to take a measured, fact-based analysis of the industry.

BBC

Regardless of the feelings, ampuversaries should take a measured approach.

Vice

Regardless of the feelings, ampuversaries should take a measured approach.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more specific phrase, like "implement a solution" or "conduct an assessment", might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "take a measure" without specifying what the measure is, as this can make your writing sound ambiguous. Always clarify the action you are referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a measure" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "take" is the main verb and "a measure" is its object. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for expressing an action, often related to addressing a problem or assessing a situation. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from politics to personal reflection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a measure" is a versatile and common phrase used to describe an action undertaken to address a situation or achieve a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is widely applicable, it is best practice to clearly specify the action being taken for clarity. Ludwig's examples indicate the phrase's prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, demonstrating its adaptability across various registers. Alternative phrases such as "adopt a strategy" or "implement a solution" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adopt a strategy

Emphasizes a planned approach, similar to "take a measure" but focuses on the planning aspect.

implement a solution

Focuses on putting a fix into action, differing from the broader sense of taking action.

undertake an assessment

Highlights the evaluative aspect, unlike "take a measure" which is more general.

provide reassurance

Specifically relates to offering comfort, a more narrow meaning than the original phrase.

institute a policy

Implies a formal or official action, more specific than "take a measure".

carry out an evaluation

Focuses on a formal process of assessing something's worth or quality.

make an appraisal

Implies a judgment or estimate, particularly of value or quality.

draw solace

Highlights the act of gaining comfort, unlike the broader application of "take a measure".

gain perspective

Focuses on understanding a situation, rather than taking an action.

derive satisfaction

Highlights the attainment of pleasure or contentment, distinct from taking action.

FAQs

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

You can use "take a measure" to describe an action taken to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The company will "adopt a strategy" to reduce carbon emissions".

What phrases can I use instead of "take a measure"?

Alternatives to "take a measure" include "adopt a strategy", "implement a solution", or "undertake an assessment", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "take a measure of comfort"?

Yes, "take a measure of comfort" is a correct and commonly used phrase, indicating that someone is finding some solace or reassurance in a situation. A similar phrase would be "draw solace".

When should I use "take a measure" versus "take measures"?

"Take a measure" refers to a single action, while "take measures" refers to multiple actions. For example, "The government will take a measure to reduce unemployment" versus "The government will take measures to reduce unemployment".