take a notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of having a sudden idea or desire to do something. Example: "One day, I just took a notion to start painting, and it turned into a new hobby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That way she wouldn't take a notion to turn me in".

The New Yorker

Two tidy children are treed by three witches who take a notion to eat them.

The New York Times - Books

"It was the way you take a notion that you would like to see an old sweetheart," he wrote, "which is not always the kind of notion to act on".

The New York Times - Arts

Fowler added, "Barrymore said that he halfway believed that the tribal gods, in whose behalf the pole had been erected, 'might take a notion into their whimsical noggins to wreak vengeance on the thief.' " This seems to be as close as Barrymore ever got to a public confession that he had taken the pole.

The New Yorker

As William Ray, a 23-year-old blacksmith of the 7th Wisconsin, gloated to his diary after a hot, sloppy summer drill, "the officers couldn't make them do any better for they all worked together and when they take a notion and hang together, the officers never could handle us as they pleased".

The New York Times

they sell ads by the inch to companies who want to sell something to the likes of you -- time shares, Wonderbras, cotton shirts -- readers who might take a notion to spend a little of their hard-earned but otherwise disposable income on something they see advertised here.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

yeah why?? took a notion just had to go sorry hun Eileen went back inside and rang Murt, but it went to voice mail again.

The New Yorker

The set began with four people draped in gold fabric topped by gold masks, staring at the crowd like Aztec statues that had taken a notion to move about.

The New Yorker

With their enormous new ring, which goes the Patriots' one bigger by a millimeter, the Steelers have taken a notion that started out subliminal and brought it into daylight: the Super Bowl ring as personal portable trophy.

The New York Times - Sports

Others think that most of the work done by LFs could be done by taking a notion of surface syntax seriously, not positing hidden structure, and running very complicated semantic theories to account for the data.

SEP

My future/current/only husband proceeded to date every girl who worked in that restaurant, starting with Her Bounciness, before he ever took a notion to ask me out.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a notion" to add a touch of folksy or informal charm to your writing, particularly when describing spontaneous actions or decisions. It conveys a sense of impulsiveness and can make your narrative more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "take a notion" in formal or professional writing where a more direct and serious tone is required. Opt for phrases like "decide suddenly" or "develop an idea" instead to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a notion" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verbal phrase to describe the sudden onset of an idea, whim, or impulse. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig show its usage in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a notion" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a sudden impulse or idea, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct but generally informal, best suited for narrative or casual contexts. While not as common as other expressions, its usage adds a touch of spontaneity to writing. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "decide suddenly" or "develop an idea". Overall, "take a notion" is a valuable phrase for adding flavor to your writing when informality is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a whim

Emphasizes the sudden and impulsive nature of the idea.

have a sudden impulse

Highlights the impulsive nature of the action, more formal.

get an urge

Focuses on a strong desire that arises unexpectedly.

decide on a whim

Explicitly states that the decision was made impulsively.

have a brainstorm

Highlights the spontaneous generation of an idea or solution.

conceive a desire

A more formal and less common way of expressing a sudden desire.

develop an impulse

Indicates a gradual build-up of an impulse, less sudden.

strike on a plan

To suddenly have thought of an idea or plan

form a view

A more formal and neutral way of expressing the development of an opinion.

jump to a decision

To decide something quickly, without thinking about it very much

FAQs

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

You can use "take a notion" to describe a sudden impulse or idea. For example, "I suddenly took a notion to redecorate the entire house" indicates a spontaneous decision to start a project.

What does "take a notion" mean?

The phrase "take a notion" means to have a sudden urge or idea to do something, often without much planning or forethought.

What are some alternatives to "take a notion"?

Alternatives to "take a notion" include "get a whim", "have a sudden impulse", or "get an urge", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "take a notion" in formal writing?

No, "take a notion" is generally considered informal. Use more formal alternatives like "decide suddenly" or "develop an idea" in professional or academic contexts.